Topic Midterm Video Review Project Discussion Group 5
Short Summary:
This video presentation reviews three modules on the history of American engineering. Module one focuses on the Erie Canal, highlighting its impact as a transportation revolution, a birthplace of American engineering, and a training ground for engineers through practical, on-the-job learning. Module two examines the growth and formalization of engineering in the 19th century, including the rise of large corporations, the impact of the Morrill Land-Grant Act on engineering education, and the resulting social inequalities in access to the profession. Module three explores the reciprocal relationship between invention and infrastructure, using examples like Edison's Menlo Park and Tesla's Wardenclyffe Tower to illustrate how institutional support and corporate alignment shaped technological development. The overall theme emphasizes the evolution of engineering from practical, self-taught beginnings to a more formalized, institutionally driven field, highlighting both its successes and its inherent social biases.
Detailed Summary:
Module 1: The Erie Canal
This section details the Erie Canal's significance beyond its role as a transportation breakthrough. It emphasizes its contribution to the development of American engineering by providing a practical training ground. The story of John B. Jervis, who rose from laborer to a prominent engineer through on-the-job learning, illustrates this point. The module highlights the trial-and-error approach of early American engineers, the incorporation of foreign expertise (like William Weston), and the canal's economic and political impact, creating winners and losers in the process. The key takeaway is that the Erie Canal fostered a unique breed of practical, self-made, and mission-driven engineers. A quote summarizing this module's theme is: "The Erie Canal changed what was possible, connecting regions, launching careers, and redefining what engineering could be in a young country."
Module 2: 19th Century Engineering Growth and Formalization
This section covers the period from the 1850s to the early 1900s, a time of rapid population growth and industrialization. The post-Civil War era saw a shift towards industrialization, the rise of large corporations (and associated corruption – the "Gilded Age"), and significant advancements in transportation (railroads, steamboats). The Morrill Land-Grant Act is highlighted for its role in expanding access to engineering education, although this access was largely limited to white males. The module contrasts the practical British approach to engineering with the theoretical French style, emphasizing the increasing importance of formal education. The rise of professional societies (ASCE, AIME, ASME) is discussed in the context of balancing professional and business interests. The section concludes by noting the significant gender and racial inequalities in the engineering profession, supported by quotes such as: "The engineers' problem has centered on a conflict between professional independence and bureaucratic loyalty" and "I suspect the number of women who have undertaken general engineering courses is so few that you will hardly be able to form an organization." Examples of rare minority engineers like Kate Gleason and Elijah McCoy are briefly mentioned.
Module 3: Invention and Infrastructure
This module explores the reciprocal relationship between invention and infrastructure. It contrasts the individualistic approach of inventors like Edison and Tesla with the later institutionalization of invention within corporations and the military (e.g., Bell Labs). The linear model of innovation (basic research → applied tech → social benefits) is presented, but the complexities and non-linear realities are also emphasized. Tesla's Wardenclyffe Tower project is used as a case study to illustrate how even groundbreaking ideas can fail without sufficient corporate support. Edison's Menlo Park is presented as an early example of organized, industrial-scale invention. The module also notes the significant contributions of women inventors, mentioning over 1,900 patents before 1887. The concluding thought highlights the importance of vision, systems, and institutional support for successful innovation.