History of engineering

Check the knowledge of active vocabulary from this module with the help of

“ACTIVE VOCABULARY” section.

Part II

Read the text and decide if the following sentences are true (T) or false (F):

	The invention of a wheel is an example of ancient engineering.	T	F
	The words “engine” and “engineer” appeared at one and the same time.	T	F
	The word “engineer” has a military origin.	T	F
	Engineering and science are two terms (= words) for one and the same thing.	T	F
	Nowadays engineering is everywhere.	T	F

The concept of engineering has existed since ancient times as humans thought up fundamental inventions such as a wheel. Each of these inventions is consistent with the modern definition of engineering, exploiting basic mechanical principles to develop useful tools and objects.

The term engineering itself has a much more recent etymology, deriving from the word engineer, which itself dates back to 1325, when an engineer (literally, one who operates an engine) originally referred to “a constructor of military engines.” The word “engine” itself is of even older origin, deriving from the Latin “ ingenium” (c. 1250), meaning “innate quality, especially mental power, hence a clever invention.”

Nowadays engineering is a large field which deals with problem solving process for the good of mankind. It is closely connected with the science, but it’s not the same. It is in close interaction with such disciplines as medicine, biology, art, computing and many other social areas of life.

2. WHAT IS ENGINEERING?

Read the text and fill in the gaps with the following words:

engineering engineer mathematical design discipline

Engineering is the (1) __________, art and profession of using technical, scientific, and (2) __________ knowledge to design and put into practice materials, structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.

The American Engineers' Council for Professional Development (ECPD) has defined (3) _________ as follows: “The creative application of scientific principles to (4) __________ or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes and to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions”.

One who practices engineering is called an (5) __________. Engineers may have more formal designations such as Professional Engineer, Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer, or European Engineer. The broad discipline of engineering includes a range of more specialized sub-disciplines. Each of these sub-disciplines has a more specific emphasis on certain fields of application and particular areas of technology.

knowledge serviceability mathematics produce design solutions

Engineers apply the sciences of physics and (6) __________ to find suitable (7) __________ to problems or to make improvements to the status quo. More than ever, engineers are now required to have (8) __________ of different relevant sciences for their design projects, as a result, they have to keep on learning new material throughout their career.

If multiple options exist, engineers think of different design choices and their advantages (or pluses) and choose the solution that best matches the requirements. The most important and unique task of the engineer is to identify, understand, and forecast the possible future result of a design in order to (9) __________ a successful product. It is usually not enough to build a technically successful product; it must also meet further requirements.

Engineers should foresee different available resources, physical, imaginative or technical limitations, flexibility for future modifications and additions, and other factors, such as requirements for cost, safety, marketability, productibility, and (10)__________. By understanding these factors, engineers (11) __________ specifications for the limits within which a successful system may be produced and operated.

Now answer the following questions about the text:

12) What is Engineering?
13) What does the word “engineer” mean?
14) Why do engineers have to keep on learning all their lives?
15) What is important in engineering in order to produce a successful product?

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