2006-10-06 01:50:44 · 6 answers · asked by pedram_khafan8 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
It probably goes back before ancient Egypt, but there were engineering types there. The designers of the Pyramids certainly had a knowledge of the stars and engineering principles and there's evidence that they understood the relationship of Pi and some circular functions. There were also measurement standards in place for Mass and Length. The "cubit" was defined as the length from the Pharaoh's fingertip to his elbow, but was impractical to maintain, so somebody created an artifact standard "cubit". There are also pictures of Mass standards from Babylon.
So I guess we could say there have been engineers since at least 3000 BC.
2006-10-06 03:09:36 · answer #1 · answered by frieburger 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, 3000 BC at least, and probably older. The first guy who worked out how to build a wall of stones that didn't fall down was an engineer. The first guy who put an axle and two wheels under a sledge was an engineer.
2006-10-06 11:48:27 · answer #2 · answered by bh8153 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ancient Rome had engineers that designed the aquaducts.
You have to build them at just the right angle over dozens of miles, to make sure that the water flows toward the city and at a gentle speed.
2006-10-06 09:29:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word "engineer" is a new word, dating back to the invention of the railway locomotive and its driver.
Before that, the people who had expertise in things mechanical must have had a different title.
2006-10-06 19:39:49 · answer #4 · answered by dmb06851 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a few thousand years? maybe around the invention of the wheel.
2006-10-08 04:44:24 · answer #5 · answered by sail191912 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Comes just after prostitution, I suppose.
2006-10-06 15:26:23 · answer #6 · answered by Terry B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋