The Beginnings of Modern Engineering

A review of the historical development of ethanol usage as a motor fuel is in order before discussion of modern production technologies. The history dates back to the beginnings of the internal combustion engine. In an industrial chemistry book published about a century ago (Duncan, 1907), these statements appear ... 

To continue such references is beyond the scope of this book, although they do give a flavor of the developing interest in petroleum. However, it is sufficient to note that there are many other references to the occurrence and use of bitumen or petroleum derivatives up to the beginning of the modern petroleum industry. However, what is obvious by its absence is any reference to the analysis of the bitumen that was used variously through history. It can only be assumed that there was a correlation between the bitumen character and its behavior. This would be the determining factor(s) in its use as a sealant, as a binder, or as a medicine. In this sense, documented history has not been kind to the scientist and engineer. 

Medicine and engineering have been partners for many years, nearly from the beginning of both fields. In the modern age, this relationship possibly... 

In a modern corporation with an established research and development department, the normal mode of product development begins with the realization that a current product has some undesirable properties, and modifications are needed to improve these properties. The product engineer is given a specific assignment on which properties to improve, and then searches among the available methods to modify the product. Let us look at a number of historical examples of the modification of existing products. 

The study and practice of chemistry and chemical engineering will continue to be excellent preparations for a variety of operational, management, and research assignments in the modern corporation. And the beauty of it is that it is exciting, challenging, and rewarding work. In many ways I wish that I myself was just beginning. 

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