This book explores the history of mechanical engineering since the Bronze Age. Focusing on machinery inventions and the development of mechanical technology, it also discusses the machinery industry and modern mechanical education. The evolution of machinery is divided into three stages: Ancient (before the European Renaissance), Modern (mainly including the two Industrial Revolutions) and Contemporary (since the Revolution in Physics, especially post Second World War). The book not only clarifies the development of mechanical engineering, but also reveals the driving forces behind it e.g. the economy, national defense and human scientific research activities to highlight the links between technology and society; mechanical engineering and the natural sciences; and mechanical engineering and related technological areas.

Though mainly intended as a textbook or supplemental reading for graduate students, the book also offers a unique resource for researchers and engineers inmechanical engineering who wish to broaden their horizons.

Presents a systematic history of mechanical engineering from ancient times to the modern day Offers a comprehensive discussion of the development of machinery inventions, mechanical design, mechanical manufacturing and machine theory, as well as industry and education Analyzes the relationship between technological and social advances

Autorentext

Ce Zhang, professor at School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University.

1962, Bachelor of Engineering, Hebei Institute of Technology (China)

1982, Master of Science, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (U. S.)

1993-2003, Chairman of China Committee, IFToMM. 1995-2000, Vice chairman, 2001-2005, Chairman of Teaching Steering Committee of Mechanical Engineering, Ministry of Education of China

Area of work includes mechanism and machine theory, machine dynamics, machine design and history of mechanical engineering. Main publications:

Ce Zhang, et al.  Analysis and Design of Elastic Linkages (a monograph in Chinese). Machinery Press of China, 1989 (1st ed.), 1997 (2nd ed.) Ce Zhang, et al.  Machinery Dynamics (a graduate textbook in Chinese). Higher Education Press of China, 2000 (1st ed.), 2008 (2nd ed.)

Ce Zhang.  A History of Machinery Dynamics (a monograph in Chinese). Higher Education Press of China, 2009

Ce Zhang.  A History of Mechanical Engineering (a monograph in Chinese). Tsinghua University Press, 2015

Ce Zhang, et al (ed.)  Machinery Theory and Design (an undergraduate textbook in Chinese). Machinery Press of China, 2004 (1st ed.), 2012 (2nd ed.)

More than 150 scientific papers published (including more than 10 published in English).

Inhalt
Introduction.- Development of Ancient Machinery.- Social Development and Scientific Revolution in Europe from the Renaissance to the 1st Industrial Revolution.- The First Industrial Revolution.- The Second Industrial Revolution.- Development of Mathematics and Mechanics during the Industrial Revolutions.- Birth and Early Development of Discipline of Mechanical Engineering.- A Brief Introduction to the 3rd Technological Revolution.- Mechanical Engineering during the 3rd Technological Revolution.- Development of Machine Theories in New Period.- Development of Mechanical Design in New Period.- Development of Manufacturing Technology in New Period.- Developing History of Blank Production.- Modern Higher Education of Mechanical Engineering.