The Engineering Book: From the Catapult to the Curiosity Rover, 250 Milestones in the History of Engineering

by Marshall Brain

Overview

Engineering is where human knowledge meets real-world problems—and solves them. It's the source of some of our greatest inventions, from the catapult to the jet engine. Marshall Brain, creator of the How Stuff Works series and a professor at the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program at NCSU, provides a detailed look at 250 milestones in the discipline. He covers the various areas, including chemical, aerospace, and computer engineering, from ancient history to the present. The topics include architectural wonders like the Acropolis, the Great Wall of China, and the Eiffel Tower; transportation advances such as the high-speed bullet train; medical innovations, including the artificial heart and kidney dialysis; developments in communications, such as the cell phone; as well as air conditioning, DNA fingerprinting, the Large Hadron Collider, drones, and more. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454908104
Publisher:	Union Square & Co.
Publication date:	05/19/2015
Series:	Union Square & Co. Milestones
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	528
Sales rank:	936,161
File size:	74 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Marshall Brain is the bestselling author of the How Stuff Works series and a professor at the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program at NCSU. He has appeared on Oprah, Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, CNN, and in many other media outlets to apply his signature approach to unraveling the mysteries of life. Brain was also the host of the National Geographic Channels The Factory Floor TV show. He lives in NC.

Editorial Reviews

[A]n excellent starting point for student researchers and . . . very browsable for the general reader. Visual appeal, easily digested information, and an excellent price point make this entire series highly recommended.” —Booklist

". . . this book is a solid introduction to its topic and can serve to generate interest in the applied sciences and engineering." —Library Journal

From the Publisher

06/15/2015
Brain (founder of HowStuffWorks.com; How Stuff Works) describes here 250 engineering marvels, focusing not on how they operate but the performance requirements needed to achieve functionality. A book that proposes to introduce engineering feats across time is a daunting task, and readers will see quickly the errors of omissions that such a work inevitably entails. Most of the focus is on the 20th century, and inventions from Muslim lands are starkly absent. Each marvel is covered on a spread. One page describes the accomplishment, while the other provides a relevant full-color picture. The last half-dozen innovations listed toward the end—including brain replication and colonies on Mars—are yet to be achieved. No more than a couple of sources per venture are included in the bibliography. VERDICT Despite some problems, this book is a solid introduction to its topic and can serve to generate interest in the applied sciences and engineering. For report use, however, it lacks the depth that high-school students and older readers would expect, thus it's recommended for middle schoolers only.—Muhammed Hassanali, Shaker Heights, OH

Library Journal