1. Introduction to Engineering Technology

In this vast world technology existed since the beginning of Human Era. In this chapter you are required to understand what is Technology , Effects of Technology on Human Existence and the Future of Engineering Technology.

1.1 What is Technology?

First of all you need to get know what is technology, it is all about your surrounding Environment. Yeah!, Everything you see has some technology in it. You might be using a Electronic Device to read this book , and it is a result of Technological Advancement in the Field of Computing.

So lets define what is Technology.

1.1.1 Factors which Contributed to the Development of Technology

The Technology was greatly contributed by the Human needs and Fulfillment of the needs. This helped Technology to grow to the extent it was now.

Levis H. Morgan divided the growth periods into

  1. Primitive Era
  2. Barbarian Era
  3. Cultural Era

1.1.2 Prehistoric Technology

1.1.2.1 The Stone Age
1.1.2.1.1 Using Stones

2.5 Million Years ago, Human used stones to cut the flesh of dead animals.

1.1.2.1.2 Using Sharpened Stones

1.6 Million Years ago , They cut down the stones in order to produce high quality weapons of that time. Which were sharper than the normals stones. Thus this practice led to the lightning of fire.

1.1.2.1.3 Lighting of the Fire

The first fire was created by Homo erectus 400,000 Years ago. It was a great turning point in the History of Technology as it made many changes in the Habits of Humans.

1.1.2.2 The Bronze Age

During this period instruments were mostly created from Bronze, a Alloy mixture of Copper and Zinc. The Copper and Zinc were mined in large amounts, and Iron Ore was discovered to be more abundant than them. This led to the Iron Age and further improvements.

1.1.2.2.1 Invention of Wheel

The Wheel was invented in 3300 B.C by Sumerian People.

1.1.2.3 The Iron Age
1.1.2.3.1 Invention of Cast Iron

The Lighting of the Fire has greatly helped in invention of Cast Iron. Iron Equipments were first created from Heating Iron Ore and crafting items from the Cooled down melted iron form the Iron Ore. The earliest known record of Cast Iron dates back to 5th Century BC in China. By this method equipments are directly casted using Iron.

1.1.3 Ancient Technological Growth

1.1.3.1 Mesopotamian Civilization

The Civilization existed from 10,000 BC to 700 AD. The Mesopotamian Civilization had seen its technological growth around 3,000 BC to 1000 BC when Sumerians were ruling the country.

  • There were mechanical drawings of Buildings crafted onto stone walls.
  • The used 60 mathematical symbols to solve the calculation problems.
  • The City of Babylonia is a marque in Construction Technology of Sumerians.
1.1.3.2 Egyptian Civilization

The Egyptian Civilization which is also called Nile River Civilization. The construction technology of the Egyptians is great. They have constructed the Great Pyramids which stands until today. The Pyramids were constructed in Third Millenium BC.

The People also engaged in crop cultivation as the Nile River fertilised the soil. Until today Nile River makes Egypt survive the Desert Situation. The Egyptians made use of Papyrus leaves to write documents. Important Inventions of Egytians are

1.1.3.2.1 Papyrus Leaves :-

Papyrus Paper was produced as early as 3000 BC and sold to ancient Greek and Rome. The ancient Alexandria Library consisted of these papers.

1.1.3.2.2 Structures and Construction :-

The Egytians had constructed the largest standalone manmade structures upto this date. The most of the constructions were religious and for Kings(Pharaohs).

1.1.3.2.3 Ship Building :-

There have been evidences of the Egytian Ships what were constructed during the period. The remnants of some ships can be found near the Great Pyramids. These ships were entirely constructed using Woods.

1.1.3.2.4 Irrigation and Agriculture :-

The Egytians used to store water and use them in drought seasons. There have been evidences of the Hydraulic Technology since 1800 BC in Egytian Lands.

1.1.3.2.5 Medicine :-

The Egyptians used many medical technologies. These technologies were proven ineffective and has no curative elements by the Physicians.

1.1.3.3 Indus Valley Civilization

The Dravidians who lives in this Valley were highly technological. They maintained methods to construct multiple storey buildings, Preservation of Food. They had constructed their city with great planning. The city had drainage facilities lining up all of the houses in the city,

1.1.3.4 Chinese Civilization

The Chinese civilization bloomed around 4000BC and there were major inventions by Chinese people. The important works of Chinese Civilization are

  • The Silk Production
  • The Gun Powder
  • The Great Wall of China
  • Measuring Earthshakes
  • Match Sticks
  • Paper Production
  • Iron Plow
  • Hanging or Simple Suspension Bridges
  • Compass
1.1.3.5 Romanian Civilization

The Romanian Civilization was created by the Remus and Romulus. The Roman Civilization was specialized in various technologies.

  • Cog Wheel
  • Screw
  • Catapult
  • Musical Instruments
  • Bow and Arrow
1.1.3.6 Greek Civilization

The Greek Civilization was specialized in All types of Technologies. They are

  • Advanced Agriculture
  • Garment Manufacturing
  • Iron Works
  • Bath Rooms
  • Harbours
  • Stone Buildings
  • Stadiums and Playgrounds
  • Arch Construction
  • Tower Construction
1.1.3.7 Mayan Civilization

The Mayan Civilization’s Calender is considered important in the World. And the Mayan Buildings are far more greater than the Pyramids of Egyptians.

1.1.4 Medievel Age Technologies

The Inventions during the Medievel Age are

  • Spring Clock
  • Sails
  • Eye Glasses
  • Wind Mills

There were lower number of Inventions as there were much control on People due to the Feudalism.

1.1.5 First Industrial Revolution(1760-1820 A.D)

The Industrial Revolution was first started in England,United Kingdon and later spred to other parts of the world.However British tried to keep that to themselves but it was a utter failure. Industrial Revoultion sped up the mass production of goods. This was achieved using the machines invented during the Industrial Revolution.

1.1.5.1 Improvements in Various Industrial Productions
  • 1730 AD - Abraham Darby invented the method of using coal for Iron
  • 1733 AD - John Kay invented the Flying Shuttle
  • 1735 AD - Newcommon invented the Steam Engine.
  • 1764 AD - James Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny
  • 1769 AD - Sir Richard Arkwright invented the Water Frame
  • 1774 AD - James Watt invented the automotive.
  • 1779 AD - Samuel Crompton invented the Spinning Mule
  • 1782 AD - Hentry Wart inverted the modern Iron Chamber.
  • 1784 AD - Edmund Cartwright invented the Power Loom.
  • 1812 AD - Humphry Davies invented the Safety Lamp.

1.1.6 Second Industrial Revolution

The Second Industrial Revolution was widespread to all the parts of the world. It started around 1830 and ended after World War I. This has paved the way for the following instruments.

1.1.6.0.1 Invention of Vaccum Tube(1875 A.D)

The Vaccum tubes were used in many Electronic Peripherals since its invention. Currently the Vaccum Tubes are discarded in favour of Transistors.

1.1.6.0.2 Transmitting Signals on Air(1894 A.D)

Radio is the wireless transmission of signals through free space by electromagnetic radiation of frequency significantly below that of visible light, in the radio frequency range, from about 30 kHz to 300 GHz. It was commercialised by Guglielmo Marconi in 1894. It was first used by a Fishing Company to keep the Boats connected to Ground.

1.1.6.1 20th Century

During the 20th Century, there were more allocations for the technological improvements. It had paved the way for high technological achievements during the time perioud. The most interested areas were Military and Education.

1.1.6.1.1 The Great World Wars

The Great World Wars greatly contributed to the development of the Engineering Technologies. The important inventions of the Modern Era happened during this phase. Thus it has also caused severe Damage to most of the nations, few of them were able to become powerful due to the industrialisation of the country. Japan produced many electronic devices during its recovery phase and gained more income via sales.

1.1.6.1.2 Invention of Transistor(1947 A.D)

In 1947 A.D William Brattain,John Bardeen,William Shockly jointly invented the Point Contact Transistor.

1.1.6.1.3 Introduction of Satellite(1960 A.D)

After World Wars I and II, there were significant approaches to rule the outer space. USSR( now Russia) has sent a satellite called Sputnik 1. USA was also trying to sent Satellites ,and USA achieved it by the latter 1960s.

1.1.7 Results of Engineering Technology

There are many effects of engineering Technology in the practical world. The engineering technology ushered the development in many fields. The Automobiles helped people to save time in moving here and there. The Aeronautical has improved lot more and it helps people to travel across continents in few hours. The Computer,a important part of the Electronic Revolution of 21st Century is a outcome of Electronical Engineering in high grades.

1.2 Questions !!!

  1. Describe the effects of Technology in the Production and Services in the Modern World?
  2. Explain about the adverse effects of the connections in between Technological Procedure and the Commercialization?
  3. Produce some examples for the improvements in Productions and Services through technology?
  4. Explain briefly about the Technological Engineering Management?
  5. Name some local industries?
  6. Explain about the local industry you mentioned above, include the growth of it since the start?
  7. Explain about the strengths and weaknesses of the Industry you selected?

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