2. Engineering: A Brief History
● Engineering practices have been around
since prehistoric times
● The Great Pyramids of Egypt are a testament
to the engineering skills of that era
● In ancient Greece, engineers used levers and
pulleys to build impressive structures such
as the Parthenon
● The invention of the wheel during the Bronze
Age revolutionized the transportation
industry
3. Tomorrowland of the Past
● Ancient Chinese engineers constructed
complex irrigation systems to maximize
farming efficiency
● The Roman Empire was renowned for its
aqueducts designed to transport water from
distant sources
● The Inca Empire was able to build expansive
road networks across the Andes Mountains
through the use of suspension bridges
● The Mayans were able to construct intricate
city designs, and their engineering
innovations include agricultural terraces and
freshwater pools
4. Engineering Military Might:
Catapults and Siege Towers
● The ancient Greeks and Romans used
catapults and battering rams to break
through enemy lines
● Byzantine engineers used Greek Fire as an
incendiary weapon to repel Arab invaders
● Chinese military engineers invented
crossbows and held the secrets to the
production of gunpowder
● The Mongols were able to conquer vast
territories through their use of siege towers
and mobile siege engines
5. Engineering: The Birthplace of
Science
● Archimedes became famous for laying the
foundations of physics and engineering
● The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, made
important contributions to biology and
philosophy
● The Arab mathematician, Al-Khwarizmi,
created the basis for algebra and introduced
the concept of the decimal system
● The Indian astronomer, Aryabhata, was the
first to propose that the earth rotates on its
axis
6. The Inca Empire
The Inca Empire was known for its advanced
engineering skills, particularly in the construction of
roads and bridges.
The Inca engineers used their knowledge of
mathematics and physics to build structures that
could withstand earthquakes and other natural
disasters.
Their engineering feats are still admired today
7. The Art of Manufacturing:
Textiles and Steel
● The ancient Egyptians were known for their
fine linen cloth
● The Romans were skilled metalworkers and
manufactured steel swords and shields
● The Chinese invented silk and along with it
the sericulture industry
● The Indians pioneered the iron and steel
industry and developed advanced
technologies for manufacturing weapons
8. Revolutionizing Transportation:
Ships and Roads
● The Phoenicians were known for their
impressive seafaring skills and developed
the first navigational maps
● The Vikings built longships, which allowed
them to sail across vast distances and
establish colonies across the world
● The Inca Empire developed a network of
roads that spanned over 25,000 miles and
connected their vast empire
● The ancient Romans developed the first
paved roads, allowing them to travel quickly
across their vast empire
9. Egyptian Engineering: The
Pyramids and Sphinx
● The construction of the Great Pyramid of
Giza required precise engineering and is still
considered a marvel of human engineering
● The Sphinx was built to serve as a burial
monument, and to guard the pyramids from
thieves
● The ancient Egyptians were also pioneers in
the fields of medicine and mathematics
● The Egyptians also developed an intricate
writing system known as hieroglyphics
10. Greek and Roman Engineering:
The Colosseum and Parthenon
● The Colosseum in Rome was capable of
hosting over 50,000 spectators, and was
used for gladiatorial contests and other
public spectacles
● The Parthenon in Athens is considered one
of the most important buildings in the world,
and is a testament to the Greek's
architectural and engineering skills
● The Greeks also laid the foundation for
western philosophy, with great thinkers such
as Plato and Aristotle
● The Romans developed innovative
technologies such as the aqueduct and
advanced road networks
11. Engineering the Future: Lessons
from the Past
● Through the study of ancient engineering,
we can glean valuable insights into how past
cultures solved complex problems
● The advances made in ancient engineering
were the stepping stones for the civilization
we live in today
● The engineering accomplishments of ancient
societies have left a lasting legacy and
continue to inspire the next generation of
inventors and innovators
● The future will demand more engineering
innovations if we are to solve complex
problems like climate change, disease, and
aging populations
12. Conclusion
• Engineering in old times was characterized by
creativity, innovation, and a deep understanding of the
natural world.
• The engineers of the past were able to build structures
and technologies that were ahead of their time, and
their legacy continues to inspire engineers today.
• By studying the engineering feats of the past, we can
learn valuable lessons that can help us to overcome
the challenges of the future.
