HISTORIA DE LA INGENIERIA QUIMICA

Summary

This video script traces the evolution of chemical engineering from its early roots in military engineering to its establishment as a distinct discipline in the 19th and 20th centuries. Key technological milestones, such as the steam engine and industrial machinery, shaped the development of the field. The rise of chemical engineering as a profession is attributed to figures like John Smeaton, George Davis, and Louis Norton, who formalized the discipline through academic programs and publications. The profession evolved with the industrial revolution, driven by the need for efficient chemical processes, and continues to be foundational to modern industrial practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The history of engineering dates back to ancient times, with military engineering being one of the earliest forms.
• 😀 The term 'engineering' was first used by Tertullian in 200 BC to describe rudimentary war machines.
• 😀 John Smeaton, in the 18th century, was the first to use the title 'civil engineer' to distinguish his work from military engineering.
• 😀 In 1828, the Institution of Civil Engineers in London formally defined civil engineering as a profession, consolidating its status.
• 😀 The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries revolutionized industries with technological advancements like the steam engine, cotton gin, and mechanical looms.
• 😀 The second Industrial Revolution, marked by innovations such as the Bessemer process for steel and the development of the dynamo, further transformed industries.
• 😀 The growing influence of science on industry led to the establishment of mechanical and electrical engineering as distinct professions.
• 😀 Chemical engineering emerged as a separate field due to the complexity of industrial chemical processes and the need for specialized expertise.
• 😀 The concept of 'unit operations' became central to chemical engineering, involving core processes like distillation, filtration, and crystallization.
• 😀 George E. Davis and Louis Norton were key figures in the establishment of chemical engineering as a formal academic and professional discipline.
• 😀 The first chemical engineering program was created at MIT in 1888, marking the official birth of the chemical engineering profession.

Q & A

What is the historical origin of the term 'engineering'?

The term 'engineering' traces back to Tertullian in 200 BC, who used the word 'ingenium' to describe a rudimentary war machine, marking the initial association of engineering with military applications.

Who is considered the first to formally distinguish civil engineering from military engineering?

John Smeaton, a British engineer, was the first to distinguish civil engineering from military engineering, adopting the title 'civil engineer' in the 18th century.

What event in 1828 helped define civil engineering as a profession?

In 1828, the Institution of Civil Engineers in London formally defined civil engineering in its statutes, solidifying its professional status.

What were some of the key developments of the first Industrial Revolution?

Key developments of the first Industrial Revolution include the invention of the first cotton-spinning machine in 1767, the first mechanical loom in 1785, and the improvement of the steam engine by James Watt in 1769.

What marked the beginning of the second Industrial Revolution around 1860?

The second Industrial Revolution began around 1860, marked by innovations such as the Bessemer process for steel production (1856), the development of the dynamo (1873), and the invention of the internal combustion engine (1876).

How did the application of thermodynamics impact mechanical engineering?

Thermodynamics played a critical role in the development of mechanical engineering, particularly through the work of scientists like Carnot and Rankine, which led to the professionalization of mechanical engineering.

What advancements in electrical engineering contributed to its professional recognition?

Advancements in electrical engineering, such as the discoveries of Faraday, Volta, and Ampère, along with the development of the dynamo, helped establish electrical engineering as a professional discipline by the mid-19th century.

What was the significance of the chemical industry's developments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the chemical industry saw significant developments, such as the industrial-scale liquefaction of air (1895), the synthesis of sulfuric acid and chlorine, and the creation of artificial fibers like rayon, which contributed to industrial growth.

How did World War I impact the development of chemical engineering?

During World War I, the need for self-sufficiency led to a surge in industrial growth, highlighting the need for specialized chemical engineering to address complex manufacturing challenges, which helped formalize the field.

When is the founding year of chemical engineering as a formal discipline, and who contributed to its establishment?

The founding year of chemical engineering is considered to be 1888, with significant contributions from figures like George Davis, who introduced courses on chemical processes, and Louis Norton, who established a four-year chemical engineering program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.