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Foundations of Engineering & Technology
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during that time period. Even inventions associated
with discoveries of early humans, such as the wheel ,
were designed to achieve a specifi goal. fic
Although the designed world is often synony-
mous with electronic artifacts such as computers, TVs,
camcorders, and cell phones, it is also represented in
our tools, modes of transportation, information and
communication systems, and biotechnologies. Because
technological advancements and changes define the time fi fi
period, they also affect our perceptions of what tech-
nology actually is. For example, the pencil has become
such a staple of everyday life that it is not considered tech-
nology or a component of the designed world. However,
two hundred years ago, pencils and paper were consid-
ered the most advanced form of the designed world.
Designing through
Engineering
People create the designed world for many reasons.
The foremost reason is to meet basic needs for food,
safety from danger, and shelter from the elements.
Also, people attempt to satisfy wants or desires for a
high quality of life by designing through engineering.
New products and processes are often concep-
tualized through designing. See Figure 13-4.
Designing can take many forms to address human
needs and wants. For example, artistic design,
Figure 13-5, focuses on creativity and aesthetics. 5
Engineering design, on the other hand, is associ-
ated with achieving specifi goals and is associated fic
with the application of mathematical and scientificfi
knowledge. The engineering design process, as
presented in Chapter 4, provides a general frame-
work for how engineers work through designing.
People’s wants and needs are constantly
changing. Therefore, the designed world is continu-
ally evolving and undergoing constant improve-
ments and modifi Therefore, designing may fications.
be based on problems requiring a solution, but there
is never one best solution. That is why products
continue to be refi and improved. fined
Engineering design is an important part of
many technologies and industries. These are
discussed in the following sections.
Technologies
and Industries
Although different industries have varying
purposes, goals, processes, and outcomes, they are
often interrelated and overlap. See Figure 13-6. For
example, manufacturing processes and technolo-
gies affect construction technologies. Products such
as construction materials can be manufactured
more effi ciently, influencing fi how to design for fl
construction demands. A good example is modular
construction, the process of manufacturing homes
and buildings in a factory, which blurs the line of
construction and manufacturing. Technologies can
be separated into the following categories:
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
Figure 13-4. An engineer using predictive analysis
software to conceptualize and optimize a design.
scyther5/Shutterstock.com
Figure 13-5. Artist creating a new design.