The Impact of An Engineering Innovation - Essay Example

The impact of an engineering innovation Impact of Technology The invention of the internal combustion engine was a giant leap for mankind that happened in the industrial revolution era around the mid of the 19th century and changed the world. The engine had many impacts on society ranging from global situations, econaomic development and activities, the societal context and the environmental aspect (Forrester, 2006). This paper looks at the in-depth research and analysis of how one of the greatest innovations; the combustion engine affected the world and changed the course of humanity. Specific focus on sensitive issues in society such as economics, the environment, and the societal aspect is important. Impacts of the Combustion engine As already presented the combustion engine had and still has an impact on our society both positively and negatively. There is no agreement on whether the combustion engine brought more benefits than negatives. Throughout socially, economically, environmentally and globally the effects of the combustion engine are clear and well observed (Forrester, 2006). Impact on the Global Society Since the invention of the internal combustion engine and of the tools and machinery that rely on it the global scene has undergone much change from the 19th century. The impact in global society has been in various ways, but the main effect has been in the transportation industry. Early application of the combustion engine was the use of automobiles and trains and later on airplanes (Forrester, 2006). The use and reliance on these modes of transport have made the combustion engine indispensable in the global society. From the late 19th century, there was easier worldwide travel as a result of the trains that now had combustion engines as opposed to the earlier steam engines (Forrester, 2006). The early 20th century saw the invention of the airplane that made the world travel much easier and quick. This meant that people could move from Europe to America or Asia easily. Easy movement of people has impacted societies, cultures were exchanged and products from one place could be available in any part of the world. Impact on the economy The combustion engine had an immense effect on the economies of countries and the world. Movement of goods and people had become easier and convenient than never before. The transportation industry grew tremendously, and this had a profound impact on the economy in the particular areas the engine was in operation. The goods transport enabled sales to increase, and improvement of the economies was evident (Forrester, 2006). The air travel also observed in the second half of the 20th century created a new industry that was beneficial to the economies of the countries operating the airlines and also increased the tourism sector worldwide since people could move with ease (Forrester, 2006). The heavy reliance on fossil fuels also fueled the development of countries with great oil deposits, and their economies grew to be among the strongest in the world (Forrester, 2006). The making and selling of anything that had an internal combustion engine also made it a new industry contributing to the economies of the specific countries, for instance, the motor industry is still a major sector in many economies. Need for the insurance specifically targeting motor vehicles has also been a major economic industry in many nations. Impact on the environment The environment faced impacts in the wake of the internal combustion engine. In fact, much of the effect that is evident is the impact of the engines on the environment (Baubek & Dolgov, n.d). From the early 20th century, many people in the now developed nations had realized a new comfort of owning cars and relying on major transport links that used the combustion engines such the train and the airplane. The vast majority of the population started owning cars and using the internal combustion engines daily. The engines became a source of environmental pollution in a large scale. Exhausts from the vehicles, jet streams and ship exhausts and a variety of other instruments that use the engine air pollution. Also, the dumping of used cars and wrecked planes created another disaster in land pollution wasting large tracts of land. It can also be observed that use of tractors bulldozers and other heavy machinery relying on combustion engines have a left a mark on the earth from big ditches, forest clearances and harmful agricultural practices in many countries (Baubek & Dolgov, n.d). Societal impact of the combustion engine The engine had a lasting impact on the society and still has to date. It appeared good and fashionable then any person who was able had to own a car as a social class indicator to distinguish himself from the rest (Forrester, 2006). The society was also affected in that the main mode of transport changed from the use of trains to use of automobiles such as the cars and the public buses. The engine also influenced the society in the need to create more innovations that had the engine as the basis due to the observed positive impacts of the engine. There has also in the past been many health problems that have been linked with usage of internal combustion engines. The automobile fumes create air pollution that in turn creates respiratory health problems for the exposed people. Besides the continued use of automobiles and easy travel has made emerging health fitness issues that come out of lack of exercise more common. The global movement of people enabled by the combustion engine through the use of airplanes and ships has influenced the society in that major cultures can be exchanged and observed throughout different societies in the world (Forrester, 2006). The internal combustion truly has had impacts both positive and negative in the world and still continues to shape the history on a global scale. Though there have been alternatives aimed at replacing it still is the major driving engine type in scale (Hawley 1999). References Baubek A.A., Dolgov M.V. (n.d). Environmental problems of the engine internal combustion. Retrieved 28th November 2015 from http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/content/pdf/participant-papers/2012-04-emr/environmental_problems_of_the_engine_internal_combustion_dolgov.pdf Forrester R. (2006). Internal combustion engine. Retrieved 28th November 2015 from http://www.rochelleforrester.ac.nz/internal-combustion-engine.html Hawley J.G. (1999). The technology of the combustion engine and its environmental impact retrieved 28th November 2015 from http://www.brlsi.org/events-proceedings/proceedings/17785 Read More