Modern Mechanical Engineering History
The history of Mechanical Engineering is rich and complex, reaching back centuries before the Industrial Revolution and ultimately, the modern auto industry. From the ancient Greeks’ Archimedes Screw to the steam engines of the 18th century, the story of mechanical engineering is one of advancement, innovation, and a never-ending desire to learn and build better.
The ancient roots of our modern technological society can be traced back to the mechanical engineering breakthroughs of the Greeks. Archimedes, for example, is known for his invention of a screw-type device which displayed basic engineering principles that are still used in modern engineering. Later, the Romans built upon the knowledge of their predecessors and developed in-depth systems and networks that allowed for the transportation of goods, water, and people.
Next, came the Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries, during which engineers such as Galileo, Copernicus, and Brahe studied, debated, and perfected ideas of motion and motion machines that were the cornerstones of each branch of engineering today.
The 18th century marked the dawn of the Industrial Revolution and the growth of mechanical engineering as a discipline. During this period, James Watt developed efficient steam engines, and George Stephenson revolutionized the transportation of people and goods by inventing the locomotive. Later, Richard Arkwright’s development of the spinning jenny and the mechanical loom was integral to the formation of the modern factory.
The 19th century saw the refinement of existing technological advances as well as the production of new inventions. In 1868, George Westinghouse patented an air brake which revolutionized the rail industry, and in 1879 Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb. At the turn of the century, the automobile was invented, and in 1908 Ford produced the Model-T and demonstrated just how far advancing technology had come.
The advancement of technology and the growth of mechanical engineering did not slow down in the 20th century. In 1913, Henry Ford revolutionized industrial production with his assembly line, which drastically decreased costs and improved production time. Throughout the century, new mechanical engineering technologies were introduced, ranging from the production of the first jet engines in the 1940s to the growth of biomedical engineering in the 21st century.
The history of Mechanical Engineering does not belong to any one era or person—it is a story of a multitude of innovations, breakthroughs, and talented engineers. From Archimedes to the automobile, the advancement of mechanical engineering can be seen throughout history. As we move forward into the 21st century and as new mechanical engineering technologies continue to be created, we can only imagine the awe-inspiring possibilities for the future of engineering.
