Engineering, Science, and Technology

“Technology … the knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to experience it.”

Max Frisch, Author and Playwright

Tuba, Etele, and Uda (2005) define the terms engineering, science, and technology in a book titled The Third Resource: A Universal Ideology of Economics.  During National Engineers Week, it is appropriate to ask: What is engineering?  First, we must answer two related questions.  Dictionaries will help.

What is science?

Science is the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena.  It is the systematized knowledge derived from observation, study, and experimentation carried on in order to determine the nature of principles of what is being studied.  Simply, then, it is the understanding of the rules or laws of nature.

What is technology?

Technology is the application of science, especially to industrial or commercial objectives.  It is the science or study of the practical or industrial arts, applied sciences, etc.  Simply, then, technology is the collection of techniques used to convert the understanding of science into useful purposes.  Hence, technology includes and uses science.

What is engineering?

Engineering is the application of scientific principles to practical ends as the design, construction, and operation of efficient and economical structures, equipment, and systems.  It is divided into different branches such as civil, electrical, mechanical, nuclear, and chemical engineering.  Simply, then, engineering is where science and technology are converted into actual use.  Engineering includes both science and technology.

Engineering, Science, and Technology (EST) intermesh and work together synergistically.  Both engineering and technology use science.  From that standpoint, they are similar and related.  We know that scientists include chemists, physicists, astronomers, botanists, zoologists, and biologists.  We know that engineers include civil, electrical, mechanical, petroleum, aeronautical, aerospace, astronautical, nuclear, and chemical engineers.  Technologists include all other disciplines such as mathematicians, computer programmers, information technologists, architects, statisticians, technicians, testers, analysts, machinists, quality inspectors, and draftsmen.

Some go as far as to state that scientists, technologists, and engineers comprise the only segment of society, which not only uses existing resources for generating new wealth for society but creates new resources for this purpose.

The universal goal of engineering is to increase the standard of living (SOL) and quality of life (QOL) or SQ of all in a safe and secure environment.  This segment of society should be recognized by all of those benefiting from their work.  Further, advancing the Hall of Fame for Engineering, Science, and Technology (HOFEST) on the Internet is a must.

The International Technology Institute (ITI), which serves as the Secretariat of HOFEST, moved its principal headquarters from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to San Diego, California.  Since this activity is not location-dependent, it can be advanced from anywhere in the world.  If you desire more information on HOFEST, refer to its primary website at http://www.hofest.org/.

We also must dispel some common misunderstanding about associating information technology (IT) with wealth creation.  The Internet creates no new wealth for society.  It has a crucial role in transferring knowledge, data, and information rapidly and helping the real wealth creators to be more efficient and effective.  Individual wealth created by those in that field is the result of redistribution.  Technology must be applied to create wealth.  Hence, economic activity should not be confused with real wealth creation for society.

Naturally, not all science and not all technologies are used by engineers.  It is fair to say, however, that engineers are the farmers in the cultivating fields of science and technology.  Additionally, when it comes to cost of quality, it should be noted that the cost of perfection is prohibitive.  Instead, we must pursue excellence of the concepts.

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