Overview of Engineering An engineer applies knowledge of science and math to solve problems. Engineering is a large discipline with major categories

What is the role of an engineer?

An engineer applies knowledge of science and math to solve problems.

Name four major categories of engineering.

Civil, electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering.

What ancient civilization is credited with inventing the wheel and wheeled cart?

The Sumerians in Mesopotamia.

What was Hammurabi known for in relation to engineering?

Creating the first building code, establishing building ethics and penalties for poor construction.

What key engineering accomplishment did the Assyrians achieve around 700 B.C.E.?

The first public water supply through a freshwater canal system and the Jerwan aqueduct.

How did Egyptians utilize the Nile River in their engineering practices?

They developed controlled irrigation systems to grow food during the dry season.

What structure is the Great Pyramid at Giza known for?

It is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the only one still intact.

What engineering innovation is associated with the Greeks during their rule?

Harbor construction and shipbuilding, including the Pharos lighthouse at Alexandria.

What was a significant achievement of Roman engineers?

The construction of aqueducts and temples through new construction methods.

What significant advancement occurred during the Middle Ages in engineering?

Advances in structural design, energy-efficient machines, and power-saving devices.

Who invented the movable type mold and when?

Johann Gutenberg in the late Middle Ages.

What did Leonardo da Vinci contribute to engineering?

He observed, illustrated, and invented machines, including hydraulic pumps and a steam cannon.

What is Boyle's law?

If the volume of a gas is decreased, the pressure increases proportionally.

What two mathematicians are credited with the invention of calculus?

Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

Who developed the first commercially run steamboat in 1807?

Robert Fulton.

What impact did James Watt's steam engine have?

It led to the age of transportation.

What notable engineering project reduced travel distance by about 5,000 miles?

The Panama Canal.

Who implemented the assembly line for mass production of vehicles?

Henry Ford.

What new methods were developed for road construction?

Methods by John MacAdam and Thomas Telford for smoother and more durable roads.

What act authorized federal funding for the interstate highway system in 1956?

The Federal Aid Highway Act.

What was significant about the Wright brothers' achievement in 1903?

They first achieved heavier-than-air flight with a 12-second, 120-foot flight.

What was the Channel Tunnel, or 'Chunnel'?

A tunnel that opened in 1994, connecting England and France.

Who was instrumental in the development of alternating current electricity?

Nikola Tesla.

What did Thomas Edison develop that had a lasting impact on daily life?

The incandescent light bulb and the first industrial research laboratory.

What challenge do engineers face regarding energy use today?

Designing new products that use less energy without sacrificing comfort or quality.

What program exemplifies energy efficiency in engineering?

The ENERGY STAR program.

How have engineers improved the quality of life?

Through systems for clean water, genetically modified crops, and better medicines.

What techniques did the Egyptians use to manage irrigation?

Controlled irrigation systems.

What was one of the methods used by ancient Romans in construction?

The development of cement.

What type of engineering was influenced greatly by the Middle Ages' contributions?

Structural design and energy management.

What invention by Leonardo da Vinci remained unbuilt for 300 years?

His drawing for a 720-foot bridge.

In what year did Johann Gutenberg print the first book?

A.D. 1450.

What structure did the Greeks use their engineering skills to construct?

The Parthenon.

Who contributed significant inventions during the Middle Ages, like gunpowder and papermaking?

China.

What was one of Robert Hooke's inventions that contributed to Boyle's experiments?

The air pump.

What feature distinguished the Wright brothers' flight from others?

It was a heavier-than-air flight.

What was the primary focus of Roman engineering projects?

Public works such as bathhouses and aqueducts.

What major achievement in transportation was completed in 1914?

The Panama Canal.

What was a revolutionary transportation method created by George Stephenson?

The steam-powered railroad transportation system.

How did the innovations in construction impact the Middle Ages?

They allowed for more energy-efficient machines and structural designs.

What is a key legacy of Nikola Tesla's work?

The use of alternating current for electricity.

Which invention made mass production of cars feasible?

The assembly line.

Who were the first to achieve significant advancements in flight technology in the early 20th century?

The Wright brothers.

What influenced modern engineering from the contributions of ancient civilizations?

Foundation of tools, techniques, and design principles still relevant today.