There are many engineering products used today, which we couldn’t manage without. Yet many of them we are blissfully unaware of and have no clue they even exist. The truth is, engineering has made a massive contribution to the evolution of mankind. Without some of the inventions below, we would probably still be living in caves.
Read on for a guide to some of the most innovative – and surprisingly simple – inventions from the world of engineering.
Wheel and Axle
Imagine how mankind would have evolved without the humble wheel and axle. It’s such a small thing, but the person who invented wheels and axles defined the modern world as we know it. Wheeled vehicles date back to around 4,000 BC. They enabled mankind to transport goods and people longer distances and probably played a key role in mass migration.
Pulleys
Pulleys are invaluable when it comes to lifting heavy objects, from sacks of grain to machinery. The simple pulley is the basis of many more complex machines in the modern world, including fan belts in engines.
Steel
Steel, a combination of carbon and iron, was first created in 6 BC. Early steel-making efforts were not terribly accomplished, but by the 17th-Century, the processes were better understood, and the product was much better quality. Today, steel is critical to the world. It’s used to construct bridges, high-rise buildings, and many more things.
Maxon Valves
Have you heard of a Maxon valve? Most likely not, yet this unsung hero of the engineering world plays a key role in virtually every global industry. The lowly Maxon valve is a safety shut-off valve. It’s commonly used in the oil and gas industries but can be used whenever there is a need for a safety shut-off valve in a process. Maxon valves have saved lives and improved productivity for decades, which is why we can’t manage without this small but critical invention.
Printing Press
Printing presses revolutionized human development from the Renaissance onwards. While movable type printing presses were in use already, the Gutenberg mechanized printing press allowed materials to be printed on an industrial scale. This meant printing pamphlets and books was much more efficient and enabled printed materials to be more widely circulated at a much cheaper price. In short, printed paper and books became accessible to the masses.
Air Pump
The invention of the air pump allowed air to be pushed around, for example, into pneumatic tires. This is important because it led to the invention of vacuum pumps, and eventually, light bulbs.
Springs
Springs are small and very simple pieces of engineering, but they play a critical role in many pieces of equipment. A coiled spring is typically made from steel. It stores energy and, when extended or compressed, exerts an opposite force in direct proportion to the change in length. Modern springs are used in vehicles and all kinds of tools, such as a torque screwdriver.
Other notable inventions include the piston engine, locomotives, ships, and airplanes, and relatively simple inventions such as cogs and wheels, levers, and ramps.
