Reprint of the original, first published in 1861.

This book is about the role of some engineering principles in our everyday lives. Engineers study these principles and use them in the design and analysis of the products and systems with which they work. The same principles play basic and influential roles in our everyday lives as well. Whether the concept of entropy, the moments of inertia, the natural frequency, the Coriolis acceleration, or the electromotive force, the roles and effects of these phenomena are the same in a system designed by an engineer or created by nature. This shows that learning about these engineering concepts helps us to understand why certain things happen or behave the way they do, and that these concepts are not strange phenomena invented by individuals only for their own use, rather, they are part of our everyday physical and natural world, but are used to our benefit by the engineers and scientists. Learning about these principles might also help attract more and more qualified and interested high school and college students to the engineering fields. Each chapter of this book explains one of these principles through examples, discussions, and at times, simple equations.

Cradle-to-grave analyses are becoming the norm, as an increasing amount of corporations and government agencies are basing their procurement decisions not only on initial costs but also on life cycle costs. And while life cycle costing has been covered in journals and conference proceedings, few, if any, books have gathered this information into an

"Lives of the Engineers" is a series of biographical sketches written by Samuel Smiles, a Scottish author and reformer. First published in 1862, the book chronicles the lives and achievements of notable engineers throughout history, highlighting their contributions to technology, industry, and society. The book is structured as a collection of individual biographies, each focusing on a different engineer or group of engineers. Smiles likely covers a diverse range of figures, from ancient builders and inventors to modern pioneers of the Industrial Revolution. Some of the engineers featured in the book may include Isambard Kingdom Brunel, James Watt, George Stephenson, and Thomas Telford, among others. Throughout "Lives of the Engineers," Smiles emphasizes the ingenuity, perseverance, and innovation of the individuals he profiles. He likely explores the personal backgrounds, professional accomplishments, and lasting legacies of each engineer, highlighting their role in shaping the modern world. Smiles' writing style is likely to be informative and engaging, with vivid descriptions of engineering feats and historical contexts. He may also draw connections between the lives of the engineers and broader social, economic, and technological developments of their time. Overall, "Lives of the Engineers" is likely to be a comprehensive and inspiring tribute to the men and women who have played a pivotal role in advancing human civilization through their work in engineering and technology. The book serves not only as a celebration of individual achievement but also as a testament to the power of human ingenuity and innovation.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1865. Comprising also a History of Inland Communication in Britain.