Engineering has been a part of civilization since early time. The application of engineering plans, methods, and tools were used to solve problems and improve life. Early engineers contributed to the creation of the Egyptian pyramids, the Romans' aqueducts and roadways, and, in more modern days, electricity, dams, motor vehicles, nuclear energy, and more.
The roots of engineering are in the five basic machines created by ancient Greeks, who used geometry to develop the wheel, pulley, lever, wedge, and screw. Ancient Roman engineers improved water delivery to homes and increased transportation and trade through their creation of roads, bridges, and aqueducts.
Knowledge of physics and mathematics developed further in the 17th century with Isaac Newton's studies of math, physics, and optics. Newton's work led to his three laws of motion, known to all engineers today: an object in a state of inertia will stay in that state unless acted upon by another object (concept of Force); acceleration occurs when force of one object acts upon another object, with the formula being F=ma (concept of Mass); and for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction (concept of Motion).
Schools for engineering were introduced in the late 18th century, as governments realized the importance of having engineers in the military. Engineers also contributed to the Industrial Revolution, with new processes for steel and iron production, the introduction of steam power, and numerous building projects for new railroads and other vehicles, bridges, dams, and other structures.
The 19th century brought inventions such as the telegraph, telephone, light bulb, and electric motor. The 20th century abounded with engineering innovations, including airplanes, submarines, and navigational systems. Nuclear power was introduced with the first atom bomb, and was later used to generate power.
Interest in energy usage and energy efficiency grew in the 1970s, when oil-producing countries severely limited the amount of petroleum shipped to other countries. This caused an oil crisis in the United States in 1973, and raised awareness that other energy resources, as well as energy conservation, needed to be explored. In the decades since, federal, state, and local governments have established laws and public policies to improve energy efficiency and productivity. The field of energy efficiency engineer is a result of this increased focus on energy efficiency. Today, a wide variety of industries and companies employ energy efficiency engineers for help with developing new energy systems or improving their current energy usage.
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Technicians
- Aerospace Engineers
- Air Quality Engineers
- Audio Recording Engineers
- Automotive Engineering Technicians
- Automotive Engineers
- Avionics Engineers and Technicians
- Biochemical Engineers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Biomedical Engineers
- Broadcast Engineers
- Ceramics Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Coal Miners
- Divers and Diving Technicians
- Drone Engineers
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electricians
- Electromechanical Engineering Technologists
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Embedded Systems Engineers
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Energy Transmission and Distribution Workers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Forensic Engineers
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Futurists
- Genetic Engineers
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Hardware Engineers
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Industrial Engineers
- Landmen
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Manufacturing Engineering Technologists
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Marine Engineers
- Materials Engineers
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Mining Engineers
- Nanosystems Engineers
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Nuclear Reactor Operators and Technicians
- Optical Engineers
- Packaging Engineers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Plastics Engineers and Technicians
- Power Plant Workers
- Quality Control Engineers and Technicians
- Radiation Protection Technicians
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Robotics Engineers and Technicians
- Roustabouts
- Software Engineers
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Engineers
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Stationary Engineers
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Traffic Engineers
- Transportation Engineers
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers