A classic scientist in the making, Archimedes was a Greek engineer, mathematician, physicist and astronomer. Thomas Edison was an American inventor and referred to as a great businessman. Also referred to as the Otto-cycle engine, his invention helped to initiate the development of motor cars. Last but by no means least on the list is Elon Musk. The oldest documented mechanical engineers can be traced back to Ancient Greece and can be seen in the works of Archimedes. He is also the CEO of Tesla Motors. Jeff, who left his lucrative job at an investment firm to fulfil his entrepreneurial ambition, also owns the newspaper, The Washington Post, and its affiliate publications along with a spaceflight company, Blue Origin. Electrical engineering became a subject of academic interest to the scientific community, during the 17th century and one of the first electrical engineers known to the world was, William Gilbert. You might be surprised to know that his technological ingenuity was right up there as one of the best. This article lists some of the more impressive feats that have been achieved thus far and aims to instil a sense of awe. A mechanical engineer is a specialist in all fields related to machines, kinematics, thermodynamics and tools. A few of his many inventions include the motion picture camera and projector, the phonograph, and the incandescent lightbulb. A classic scientist in the making, Archimedes was a Greek engineer, mathematician, physicist and astronomer. The brothers were responsible for creating the airplane. George Stephenson was a civil and mechanical engineer who developed and built steam locomotives for some of the first ever railways. It has existed since the first human settlement and has advanced with the construction of large projects such as the Pont du Gard in France and the Great Wall in China. He holds an astounding 1,097 patents, a record. Zhang Heng, the inventor of the seismometer and the water clock, lived between the periods of 78 The Archimedes screw, which can raise water efficiently, is undoubtedly the most famous. Originally bike mechanics, their love of kite-flying and curiosity led them to new heights. A Scottish born engineer, scientist and inventor, Alexander Graham Bell is credited with providing us with the first telephone. Also referred to as the Otto-cycle engine, his invention helped to initiate the development of motor cars. Whether you agree with the list of the 10 greatest engineers below or not, it will at least give you some food for thought. Inventor, engineer and futurist, Nikola Tesla, is best remembered for his contribution to the development of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. But, there are also plenty of uses for IoT technology in the traditionally, more ‘manual’ environments of construction and infrastructure projects. Undoubtedly, the use of internet-enabled devices that link up, communicate and work with each other will revolutionise factory work. Thankfully, there are plenty of engineers who have gone before us and paved the path to a modern world that grants us access to so many inventions - inventions that make our lives easier. The brothers were responsible for creating the airplane. Find your perfect engineering job in our job listings. As a result, he turned the automobile into something of a necessity rather than just a thing of curiosity. He also had many other inventions in later life, including in aeronautics and optical telecommunications. He lived during the industrial revolution in Britain, and at the time of his passing in 1848, its railways and factories resulted in it being one of the world’s richest countries. George’s son Robert helped his father build railways and became equally as famous in his own right. Henry Ford was an engineer and industrialist who founded the Ford Motor Company. Elon Musk has plans to revolutionize transportation on earth as well as to space through futuristic technology. The field of electrical engineering also has many sub-disciplines and some of them include, power engineering, control engineering, radio frequency engineering, electronic engineering, microelectronics and instrumentation engineering among many others. Born in India to a Telugu-speaking family, Nadella serves as an inspiration to millions of Indians who nurse 'The American Dream'. Many an inventor has looked at how effortlessly birds float on the wind and wondered if a similar feat can be achieved by using only human ingenuity. Because of his impact, he is sometimes referred to as 'the Father of the Railway'. The South African born modern day engineer, inventor, and businessman is blazing a trail that is sure to influence the human race for years to come. Whether you agree with the list of the 10 greatest engineers below or not, it will at least give you some food for thought.