The origins are military, the Romans were the first engineers. The root
is ingeniosus, meaning "skilled".
The military engineers were always responsible for more than building of
siege engines, they would also build the earth works for attack and
defense.
The term 'civil engineer' was coined to differentiate building of public
works from the military form. I have a feeling it might have been
Brunnel who coined the term but it might be earlier.
During the 19th century engineers were the rock stars of the day.
-----Original Message-----
From: ietf-bounces(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org
[mailto:ietf-bounces(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org] On
Behalf Of George Swallow
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 8:23 AM
To: Jeffrey Hutzelman
Cc: JFC (Jefsey) Morfin; swallow(_at_)cisco(_dot_)com;
ietf(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org
Subject: Re: OFF TOPIC - Bail money for IETF 64?
Unfortunately, the English term can carry either of these meanings,
depending largely on context. It is applied to people who drive
trains (because they operate an "engine", to people who provide
technical support, and also to people who design complex
electrical or
mechanical systems or structures. You have to know from
context which
is which.
It's my (non-authoritative) understanding that the term
engineer originally meant someone who built engines (think
seize engines, etc).
When locomotive were first invented they were not very
reliable so the guy who drove them was a kind of 'field
support engineer' and the name engineer stuck.
...George
==============================================================
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George Swallow Cisco Systems
(978) 936-1398
1414 Massachusetts Avenue
Boxborough, MA 01719
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