Engineering

Engineering is the application of pure science to practical problems. More specifically, engineering is a professional activity that uses imagination, judgement, and intelligence in the application of science, technology, mathematics, and practical experience to design, produce, and operate useful objects or processes that meet the needs and desires of humanity. It is sometimes considered to be synonymous with technology. Professional practitioners of engineering are called engineers.

Cultural Presence

Historically, engineering has been seen as a somewhat dry, uninteresting field in popular culture, and has also been thought to be the domain of nerds (with little of the romance that attaches to hacker culture). For example, the cartoon character Dilbert is an engineer.

Related Topics:
Popular culture - Nerd - Hacker - Dilbert

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(This has not always been so - most British school children in the 1950s were brought up with stirring tales of 'the Victorian Engineers', chief amnonst whom where the Brunels, the Stephensons, Telford and their contemporaries.)

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In science-fiction engineers are often portrayed as highly knowledgeable and respectable individuals who understand the overwhelming future technologies often portrayed in the genre. The Star Trek characters Montgomery Scott and Geordi La Forge are famous examples.

Related Topics:
Science-fiction - Star Trek - Montgomery Scott - Geordi La Forge

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Engineers are often respected and ridiculed for their intense beliefs and interests. Perhaps because of their deep understanding of the interconnectedness of many things, engineers such as Governor John H. Sununu are often driven into politics to "fix things" for the public good.

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Occasionally, engineers may be recognized by a stainless steel ring, worn on the fifth finger of the working hand. This tradition was developed in Canada at the University of Toronto and was originally an iron ring. Some years later this practice was adopted by the United States. Members of the US Order of the Engineer accept this ring as a pledge to uphold the proud history of engineering. A Professional Engineer's name often has the post-nominal letters PE or P.Eng.

Related Topics:
Order of the Engineer - Professional Engineer - Post-nominal letters

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Tools

• Computers
• Calculator (historical: Slide rule)

Methods

• Mathematics, particularly Algebra, Geometry and Calculus
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Materials science

Major branches (Top 15)

(See fields of engineering for a full listing.)

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• Aerospace engineering
• Agricultural engineering
• Architectural engineering
• Biomedical engineering
• Computer engineering
• Civil engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Industrial engineering
• Materials engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Petroleum engineering
• Railway systems engineering
• Software engineering