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Civil Engineering History

• In the beginning, Civil Engineering included all engineers that did not practice military engineering; said to have begun in 18th century France.

• First “Civil Engineer” was an Englishman, John Smeaton in 1761.

• Civil engineers have saved more lives than all the doctors in history — development of clean water and sanitation systems.

• Henry H. White, first KY Civil Engineering Graduate from Bacon (Georgetown) College in 1840.

• Fall of 1886, “State College” (UK) established civil engineering degree.

• John Wesley Gunn of Lexington received first Civil Engineering degree from A & M College (UK) in 1890.

ORIGINS OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Civil engineering has evolved tremendously in aspects relating to building, designing and maintaining the world’s built and natural environments. Historically, the term ‘civil engineering’ did not exist. It is only recently that engineers whose duties were civil and non- military were categorized as civil engineers to differentiate them from military engineers. A military engineer is one who makes ‘machines of war’. In ancient times the bridge, waterways, fortifications and machines of war were all projects also projects undertaken by the military engineer. Kings, Queens, Emperors or Pharaohs required these military building services from their engineers in order to build massive structures that created a powerful and imposing image of themselves. This was the ultimate form of self-promotion. The reason the ‘civil’ and ‘military’ engineers were grouped as one, was because the techniques of designing these projects were similar and one who worked on military construction projects also worked on civil projects. Also the structures such as roads, dams, buildings and bridges facilitated for the military agendas of certain rulers. Definitely, before the term civil engineer was coined, civil engineers were in existence. Millennia ago when the pyramids of the Mayan and Egyptian empires were building pyramids, the people designing and supervising the construction of the pyramids must have been an engineer. Certainly, those endowed with the responsibility of devising ways to solve the day to day problems of construction, transportation, water irrigation, city planning were engineers. The engineers of the past often worked on technical problems of their day by using mechanics, available materials and technicians of the day and often worked in areas that ranged from mechanical, military inventions to architecture, which involved the design of aesthetic structure and the overall shape and form of structures.

Taken from book named – “An Introduction to Civil Engineering” by Valdengrave Okumu

451 comments on "Civil Engineering History"

praveen sagar says:

we implement the ideas, that creates a new world

praveen sagar says:

we create the ideas …..that creates a new world. ):- be proud you r a civil engg..

devendar says:

we shape our thoughts later they create the world……..

Avisek Mallick says:

civil engineering rokzzz

Er.Neerraj Syal says:

We the CIVIL ENGINNERS make the world……………..

chirag sethiya says:

WE R DEVLOPERS OF THE WORLD….BE PROUD!!!!!!!!CIVIL ROCKS!!

Gourab Ghosh says:

Civil engineering is an evergreen branch,and i’m proud to be a student of civil engineering.

mohammad.shafiuddin says:

civil engineering is a useful to develop the contry
iam proud to be a civil 4th year student

A.Bavithra says:

when i saw Indian temples and monuments i just wondered and i am proud to be a civil engineer.civil rocks.

Aizat says:

i would like to further my study in civil engineering….

srianu says:

when civil rests
the world rest ……..i m civil engineer…

jaggi ghumaan says:

i am proud to be a student of civil engineering.

rahul puri says:

when i saw Indian temples and monuments i just wondered and i am proud to be a civil engineer.civil rocks.

R.SAIRAM says:

india is a nation of rich heritage and monuments.i am proud that we civil engineers are a major part of it.civil rocks!!!!!!!!!!

Gopal Shah says:

East or west civil is the best

Dharmesh patel says:

this work never stop in the world………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i m civil engg.

RAJAN ADEWALE says:

It is very obvious that human being can not do without civil engineers…am very proud 2b a civil engineering student

MUHAMMAD FAWAD KHAN says:

CIVIL ENGG IS THE BEST OF ALL ENGG.
CIVIL ENGG IS THE MOTHER OF ALL ENGG,
I LOVE CIVIL ENGINEERING.
I M THE STUDENT OF CIVIL ENGG.FROM PAKISTAN

Asikong Samuel says:

quite rewarding,am proud to be a civil eng

Kipronoh says:

The most powerful profession:essential 4 our co-existence.am proud 2 b a student in this field

mwansa chambalile says:

civil eng is amazing and i cant wait to begin ma journey with it. never let anyone bring you down stick to what you want,at the end off the day its your future….am proud of my studies..

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