The material prosperity of the last century is due to the co-operation
of three classes of men: the man of science, who lives only for truth
and the discovery of nature’s laws; the inventor, eager to apply these
discoveries to money-making machines and processes, and the engineer,
trained in mathematical investigation and in knowledge of the physical
conditions which govern his profession, which is the mechanical
application of the laws of nature.
Engineering is sometimes divided into civil, military, and naval
engineering. The term civil engineering, which will be here described,
is often used by writers as covering structural engineering only, but
it has a much wider meaning.
The logical classification is: statical engineering, including that of
all fixed bodies, and dynamical, covering the movement of all bodies by
the development and application of power.
Statical engineering can be again subdivided into structural
engineering, or that of railways, highways, bridges, foundations,
tunnels, buildings, etc.; also, into hydraulic engineering, which
governs the application of water to canals, river improvements,
harbors, the supply of water to towns and for irrigation, disposal of
sewage, etc.
Dynamical engineering can be divided into mechanical engineering,
which covers the construction of all prime motors, the transmission of
power, and the use of machines and machine tools. Closely allied is
electrical engineering, the art of the transformation and transmission
of energy for traction, lighting, telegraphy, telephoning, operating
machinery, and many other uses, such as its electrolytic application to
ores and metals.
Then we have the combined application of statical, mechanical, and
electrical engineering to what is now called industrial engineering,
or the production of articles useful to man. This may be divided into
agricultural, mining, metallurgical, and chemical engineering.
Surely this is a vast field, and can only be hastily described in the
sketch which we are about to give.