Engineering Questions Coursework Example

First Midterm Test
Answer 20 questions
1. The word “technology” comes from the ancient Indo-European word techne. Explain the evolution of this word from its Greek roots to its first modern usage.
2. For the incandescent light bulb to be a commercial success, there had to be a complementary structure to support it. What were the key elements of that system that Thomas Edison created?
o Innovation starts with an invention. This is the idea of the innovator.
o With the concept, he came up with a design that enabled mass and repeated production
o The championed and promoted his product throughout the development
o He used entrepreneurs to finance his light bulb
o Innovation that is the first introduction of the product in the market
o Radical innovation
o Incremental innovation
o Developing a domination design
o Process innovation
o diffusion
3. What is a sigmoid curve? How is the curve relevant to the course of technological change?
This is a mathematical concept represented as a stretched out shape with three sections with each corresponding to a phase of growth. The technology lifecycle is sometimes called an S-curve. Some of the stages of the technology life-cycle include the research and development, the ascent, maturity, and decline.
4. What is meant by rationality? How is it connected to the development of technology? How does it relate to the way Max Weber used the word “disenchantment”?
Rationality is the control of actions by ideas.

In the development of technology, the decisions that are made on design, whether in the setup or execution stage of the design process can be justified by reason (Gabbay, 2009). According to Weber, the advent of scientific procedure and rationality, enlightened reasoning, freed the world from the spirituality and theological accounts of the world
5. How does the history of high-speed aircraft illustrate the process through which new technologies emerge?
6. What is meant by a “closed system”? How does this concept help us to understand the limitations of using technology to solve problems?
This is a defined system, i.e., every input and corresponding outcomes are known within a specific time. For example, in computers, a closed system accommodates only their software on their hardware. When technology is developed based on a closed system, it will be irrelevant if the nature of the problem changes slightly.
7. Describe the basic elements of Frederick W. Taylor’s Scientific Management. Who benefitted from it? Who opposed it?
Taylorism entailed the determination of the most effective way to perform a task after which tasks are divided among individuals based on their efficiency. Workers are given extra training to increase their productivity. These individuals work under specific instruction under supervision. Cooperation between managers and workers is encouraged in this model. However, it faced opposition from unionists and laborers who claimed they were being turned into automatons. Nonetheless, companies like Link-Belt benefited.
8. In what ways did Charles Babbage’s computer provide a preview of today’s computers? What ideas and/or parts of his computer exist in modern computers?
He developed an analytical computer which allowed users input data which is then processed by a central processing unit before an output is given. Also, the machine had a memory. These are the basic component of a computer. The abovementioned components exist in modern computers.
9. Why are some technologies considered to be “ahead of their time”? Give an example. p. 49
These are ideas that were conceptualized in periods when there were no adequate information and materials to actualize them. Although they did not succeed in those periods, they paved the way for better technologies in the future. A good example is Polaroid Polavision which paved the way for video cameras.
10. In what sectors of the economy are market forces of limited relevance for technological advance?
Technology enormously impacts on the telecommunication manufacturing and service industry. With the advent of telecommunication technology, the industry can expand. For example, satellite and fiber cables have contributed to the globalization of the services.
11. Why do centrally planned economies have a poor record of fostering technological advance? Why might the early history of the laser be considered an example of an “invention looking for an application”?
An economy controlled by the government suppresses economic freedom hence discouraging individuals from taking entrepreneurial risks or innovation. Although laser has a lot of application, the technology was not developed for any specific purpose. It was just a scientific breakthrough. As a result, the technology lacked any use in its early stages.
12. How may an excessive focus on science and mathematics be problematic for engineering education? How may it impede technological advance in some cases?
The primary role of engineering in the society is to discover problems and develop their solutions. Therefore, when excess consideration is put into theoretical works instead of its application, it is no longer helpful for innovations.
13. What does the history of Greece and Rome tell us about the relationship between science and technology in the ancient world?
Technology is applied science. This is evident through the application of mathematical theories in the design of ancient Greece and Rome technology
14. How has a rational approach been evident in the development of both science and technology? Can it be argued that the development of both science and technology isn’t always a strictly rational process?
Scientific theories have always been developed through repeated experiments whose results are analyzed to come up with a rational conclusion. As for technology, the design procedure entails logical reasoning. Through tests, innovators can identify the most effective methodology. However, on some occasions, scientific and technological advancements are made by accident. For example, the Archimedes’ principle.
15. What did Samuel Slater accomplish after he immigrated to America? What does he exemplify?
He established the first successful cotton mill in the United States. He followed up that achievement by building many other plants in New England and founding Slatersville. He is a perfect example of an innovator who has successfully managed to mobilize funds and a workforce to actuality his idea
16. What is the “NIH syndrome”? What are its causes?
This is a mindset that favors in-house products over externally developed products even when their solutions are superior. Some of its causes include pride, believe that the internally generated product will perform better, jealousy and fear of competition among others.
17. What is an example of an effort to restrict the diffusion of technology?
The superpower countries such as the USA are restricting the future nuclear powers such as North Korean and Middle Eastern countries from developing nuclear warheads to prevent any future wars.
18. What lessons can be extracted from the story of how the Japanese learned how to make steel in the 19th century?
19. What problems of economic development does the appropriate technology movement hope to solve or at least ameliorate?
Eradication of poverty through the presentation of economic opportunities for individuals. Also, availing information which will prove vital in the process of making a financial decision.
20. How does the cost of a kilowatt-hour of electricity produced by photovoltaic cells compare with the costs of other sources of electricity?
The cost of PV solar electricity has significantly reduced. But, when compared to hydroelectric power, its price is still slightly higher. While the cost per kilowatt of hydro-electric is $6.8, PV cells are $8.47
21. What is meant by energy intensity? How has energy intensity changed over the decades?
This is the measure of the energy efficiency of an economy calculated as units of energy per unit of GDP. The energy intensity of USA has been decreasing since 1980.
22. What are some of the predicted consequences of climate change?
o Risk for wildlife
o Increased cost for society and economy due to the damage to property and natural environment
o The risk for human health
o Extreme weather and rising sea
23. To what extent might nuclear energy replace fossil-fuel based energy in the years to come?
The transition from fossil fuel energy to nuclear energy will take a long time. Almost all transport system, from vehicles to ships, rely on fossil fuel. For an entire replacement of oil, it requires a lot of capital and innovations.
References
Gabbay, D. M., Thagard, P., Woods, J., & Meijers, A. W. (2009). Philosophy of technology and engineering sciences. Elsevier.