What you’ll learn:
- Who are these lesser-known engineers?
- Their notable inventions and designs.
- Why their innovations are vital for today’s applications.
Mention the names of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers, and Wernher von Braun, and most people will know those engineers. They’re famous and unforgettable, and typically are staples of grade-school curricula.
Ask the same about Burt Rutan, Nikolaus Otto, Tommy Flowers, or Tabitha Babbitt, and there’s a good chance some people will have never heard of them. Though not household names, those engineers were responsible for inventing technologies that are still in use today. From building railroads and transatlantic steamships to designing the world’s tallest skyscrapers and building the first programmable computer, these engineering pioneers demonstrate the ingenuity and perseverance needed to turn ideas into reality.
This roundup highlights those achievements and whose innovations continue to influence modern technologies:
