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Engineers
From the earliest engineers such as Archimedes and Hero of Alexandria, heroes of the Industrial Revolution like Eli Whitney and Alessandro Volta, and pioneers of the Modern Age with Henry Ford and Wernher von Braun, Engineers looks at more than eighty of the world's greatest engineers — who they were, what they did, and how their projects shaped the course of human history. The only book to feature engineers from every era of human history and all disciplines of engineering — from civil engineering to space flight — Engineers includes original drawings and specially commissioned photography to help illuminate the stories behind the great milestones of engineering. From aqueducts to bridges, monuments to buildings, and engines to motion pictures, Engineers will appeal to readers of all ages who are interested in the power of the pioneering mind.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 28, 2021
This book was okay but it wasn't great. The people who were covered were covered pretty interestingly, and the overall design was generally good, with good images, layout, etc. (except that there are a lot of timelines that are not to any scale which annoyed me).
The real problem with this book is the choice of who got included: almost all (especially in the 1700s-on) are European or American, and all but one are male! The book also buys into the myth that nothing interesting got done in the European Middle Ages, which given the invention of gothic cathedrals and stuff is pretty clearly false. I would have liked to see more diverse ancient engineering, including pre-Columbian engineering in the Americas and engineering in Sub-Saharan Africa. I would also have liked more diversity in the more recent (say, 1800's-on) engineers. Like, more than one woman, and some non-white folks.
I also would have liked a little more on the negative side of some of these inventors/their inventions. Like, was the guy a Nazi or a slave-owner? Say so! Or how the cotton gin really contributed to a resurgence of American slavery.
Overall the book was interesting and informative but it could also have been much better.
The real problem with this book is the choice of who got included: almost all (especially in the 1700s-on) are European or American, and all but one are male! The book also buys into the myth that nothing interesting got done in the European Middle Ages, which given the invention of gothic cathedrals and stuff is pretty clearly false. I would have liked to see more diverse ancient engineering, including pre-Columbian engineering in the Americas and engineering in Sub-Saharan Africa. I would also have liked more diversity in the more recent (say, 1800's-on) engineers. Like, more than one woman, and some non-white folks.
I also would have liked a little more on the negative side of some of these inventors/their inventions. Like, was the guy a Nazi or a slave-owner? Say so! Or how the cotton gin really contributed to a resurgence of American slavery.
Overall the book was interesting and informative but it could also have been much better.
July 23, 2015
A terrific book covering the many persons that have contributed to applied science over the years. Starting with advances in Egypt, Greece and Rome, the book reviews advancements chronologically through to the LHC.
The articles pay careful attention to the individuals who made the advancements, many of whom introduced a variety of new ideas. While many are reasonably well known, the book includes a number whose contribution is less well known.
A wide variety of technologies is covered, including civil, electrical, mechanical and metallurgical.
The book often leads one to the web to find out more about the various technologies mentioned in the book - a single article can lead to an hour or more of additional exploration.
The articles pay careful attention to the individuals who made the advancements, many of whom introduced a variety of new ideas. While many are reasonably well known, the book includes a number whose contribution is less well known.
A wide variety of technologies is covered, including civil, electrical, mechanical and metallurgical.
The book often leads one to the web to find out more about the various technologies mentioned in the book - a single article can lead to an hour or more of additional exploration.
May 14, 2018
Very Eurocentric. Learnt about a few obscure engineers.
August 23, 2023
This book gives me a profound insight into the engineering world.
There are several inventions from ancient times to modern times that sometimes we overlooked and it makes me realize how capable human beings can be. Moving through the ages, the book seamlessly transitions to the modern era, where the intricate interplay of scientific knowledge, technological advancement, and human perseverance has given rise to some of the most groundbreaking achievements. One of the standout sections discusses the challenges and innovations in space exploration. From the colossal Saturn V rockets of the Apollo era to the cutting-edge spacecraft that currently navigate the cosmos, the narrative shines a light on the brilliance of engineers who pushed the boundaries of what seemed feasible.
There are several inventions from ancient times to modern times that sometimes we overlooked and it makes me realize how capable human beings can be. Moving through the ages, the book seamlessly transitions to the modern era, where the intricate interplay of scientific knowledge, technological advancement, and human perseverance has given rise to some of the most groundbreaking achievements. One of the standout sections discusses the challenges and innovations in space exploration. From the colossal Saturn V rockets of the Apollo era to the cutting-edge spacecraft that currently navigate the cosmos, the narrative shines a light on the brilliance of engineers who pushed the boundaries of what seemed feasible.
February 15, 2024
This book is an encyclopedia that introduces the achievements of engineering predecessors and architects from around the world, along with photographs.
From pyramids to spaceships, all historical buildings were created by engineers.
My Buddhist teacher taught me that the hands are the most creative part of the human body.
Among the many buildings, the pyramids of ancient Egypt are one of the mysteries of the world.
It is a geometrically perfect structure that cannot be reproduced by modern engineers with the latest equipment. And yet, it was built more than 4,500 years ago.
From pyramids to spaceships, all historical buildings were created by engineers.
My Buddhist teacher taught me that the hands are the most creative part of the human body.
Among the many buildings, the pyramids of ancient Egypt are one of the mysteries of the world.
It is a geometrically perfect structure that cannot be reproduced by modern engineers with the latest equipment. And yet, it was built more than 4,500 years ago.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews