The Engineering Profession

Engineering is one of the most ancient occupations in history. The first toolmakers who chipped arrows and spears from rock were the forerunners of modern mechanical engineers. The craftsmen who discovered metals in the earth and found ways to refine and use them were the ancestors of mining and metallurgical engineers. And the skilled technicians who devised irrigation systems and erected the marvelous buildings of the ancient world were the civil engineers of their time.

Engineering is often defined as making practical application of theoretical sciences such as physics and mathematics. Many of the early branches of engineering were based not on science but on empirical information that depended on observation and experience.

The great engineering works of ancient times were constructed and operated largely by means of slave labor. During the Middle Ages people began to seek devices and methods of work that were more efficient and humane. Wind, water and animals were used to provide energy for some of these new devices. This led to the Industrial Revolution which began in the eighteenth century, first steam engines and then other kinds of machines took over more and more of the work that had prev­iously' been done by human beings or by animals.

Since the nineteenth century both scientific research and practical application of its results have escalated. The mechanical engineer now has the mathematical ability to calculate the mechanical advantage that results from the complex interaction of many different mechanisms. He or she also has new and stronger materials to work with and enormous new sources of power. The Industrial Revolution began by putting water and steam to work; since then machines using electricity, gasoline, and other energy sources have become so widespread that they now do a very large proportion of the work of the world.

VI. Прочтите весь текст еще раз и ответьте письменно на следующие вопросы.

1. Who were the forerunners of modern mechanical, mining, metallurgical and civil engineers? 2. How is engineering often defined?

3. What kind of information were many of the early branches of engineering based on?

4. What made people in the Middle Ages in Europe begin to experiment with new devices and methods of work?

6. What was the historical result of experimentation with different kinds of energy?

8. What advantages have scientific research and its applications given to the mechanical engineer?

Вариант 2

I. Перепишите следующие предложения, подчеркните в каждом из них глагол - сказуемое и определите его видо-временную форму и залог. Переведите предложения на рус­ский язык, обратите внимание на особенности перевода пассивных конструкций (см. образец 1).

1. A clock was given to Henry when he retired.

2. When air important problems had been discussed the con­ference adopted a number of resolutions.

3. The plan of research work will be carried out by him in time.

4. Business and cultural contacts contribute to mutual under­standing and trust.

5. She met her husband while she was travelling in Egypt.

6. A car has been lent to me for the week.

7. We are looking for someone who wants to make money.

II. Перепишите следующие предложения. Подчеркните Participle 1, Participle 2 и установите функции каждого из них, т. е. укажите, является ли оно определением, обстоя­тельством или частью глагола сказуемого, предложения переведите на русский язык (см. образец 2).

1. Speaking at the conference he paid particular attention to the problems of peace in that region.

2. His last novel published a month ago is very popular with young people.

3. When asked I was glad to report about our scientific work at the meeting.

4. You can’t miss him. He’s wearing a white jacket, and he’s carrying a striped umbrella.

5. She opened the letter with shaking fingers.