One engineer is sent backwards, forwards or sideways in time. Just as well they have a head full of knowledge or a backpack full of tools.

Unlike science fiction, which focuses on the consequences of science on society, engineering fiction focuses on engineering and society. Conflict often centers around devices or innovations.

A common subset, technological uplift fiction, frequently includes a character, displaced through time or space, uplifting the technology or magic of primitive or new civilization. Often the main character is an engineer. Conflict often revolves around devices or innovations the character was introduced to society. You will likely see steel mills and industrial revolutions.

Probably the earliest example is "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" by Mark Twain. Another classic is "The Cross-Time Engineer by Leo Frankowski".


For examples not listed on goodreads (mostly web or fanfic) see these threads and links in the comments to this list:
- https://forums.spacebattles.com/threa...
- https://old.reddit.com/r/ProgressionF...