Thesis ID: CBB001561867

Building and Destroying: Ancient Engineering Ingenuity in Peace and War (2005)

unapi

Ryan, Glenn Edward (Author)


Drew University
Pain, James H.


Publication Date: 2005
Edition Details: Advisor: Pain, James H.
Physical Details: 207 pp.
Language: English

In this dissertation a variety of ancient engineering works from the beginnings of recorded history to the downfall of the Western Roman Empire are presented. This is done with a two-fold intent: First, to show that engineering and ingenuity are inextricably linked (the term engineer is derived from the Latin word _ingeniator_, i.e., an ingenious person); second, to show that building and destroying have been ongoing cyclically since records have been kept. The purpose for the dissertation (_raison d'tre_) is also two-fold: First, to provide a better understanding of engineering and ingenuity so non-engineers will be able to make better- informed judgments in technologically based areas of their life; second, to provide some understanding about the phoenix-like cycles of building and destroying that are continuing today. Knowledge of the role of ingenuity should temper the usual impatience for a quick solution to difficult problems; knowledge of the historical aspect of building and destroying should alleviate some of the despair that may be present in today's turbulent times. Books about ancient engineering are scarce. The available ones allude to the ingenuity that underlies engineering but they do not focus on it. Thus, many of the examples of ingenuity, building and destroying are taken from non- engineering books. No mathematical equations or scientific formulas are used in the examples and no engineering expertise is needed to understand the material presented.

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Description Cited in Diss. Abstr. Int. A 66/02 (2005): 714. UMI pub. no. 3166251.


Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB001561867/

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Authors & Contributors
Wright, M. T.
Wiplinger, Gilbert
Taub, Liba Chaia
Smith, Norman A. F.
Sconocchia, Sergio
Schiefsky, Mark J.
Concepts
Technology
Hydraulic engineering
Writing
Science
Engineering
Medicine
Time Periods
Ancient
Medieval
Places
Greece
Rome (Italy)
Middle and Near East
Mediterranean region
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