Feedback

Technical Categories

00 Generalities
01 Social History, Politics, and Wars
02 Language, Arts, and Entertainment
03 Thought, Theology, Theory
04 Public Governance and Institutions
05 Commerce, Industry, and Business
06 Non-ME Engineering, Science, and Math
07 Science, Physics, and Math
08 Engineering in General
09 Mechanical Engineering Professionalism

10 Measurement Apparatus and Testing
11 General Instrument Making
12 Timekeeping-Clockwork-Astrolabes
13 Linear Measurement and Gauges
14 Fluid-Pressure Measurement
15 Recording-Temperature-Control
16 Weight-Scales
17 Material and Structure Testing
18 Laboratory-Model Instruments
19 Observation

20 Fluid Distribution
21 Fluid Mechanics--Theory 
22 Pumps
23 Pneumatic Devices
24 Valves-Control Mechanisms
25 Pipes, Pipelines, Tubes
26 Heaters-Furnaces, Boilers
27 Centralized Distribution Systems
28 Ventilation

30 Transmission and Machine Elements
31 Kinematics
32 Attachment Devices
33 Machine Elements
34 Transmission Elements
35 Tribology
36 Materials Handling
37 Hoisting

40 Tools and Shop
41 Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication
42 Materials in Tooling
43 Forging and Fabrication
44 Machine Tools
45 Construction Tools
48 General Shop Production and Machinery
49 Automation

50 Industrial Resources and Equipment
51 Fuels Processing
52 Resource Recovery
53 Resource Preparation
54 Safety Devices-Public Safety
55 Pollution Control
56 Climatic Control
57 Refrigeration Plants
58 Structural Equipment
59 Engine Auxilliaries

60 Prime Movers and Power Plants
61 Thermodynamics—Theory
62 Alternative-Natural Sources
63 Water-Hydraulic Power
64 Steam
65 IC Piston Engines
66 Gas Turbines
67 Nuclear
69 Power Plants

70 Transportation and Propulsion
71 Testing (Transportation)
72 Ships and Boats
73 Submersibles
74 Railway
75 Road Vehicles
76 Other Terrain Vehicles
77 Aeronautics, except spacecraft
78 Aerospace and Lunar Vehicles

80 Manufacturing
81 Management Science and Policy
82 Plant-Factory Operation
83 Manufacturing Processes
84 Design-Production Interface
85 Specialized Factory Tools and Systems
86 Agriculture-Food Production
87 Printing and Publishing Mechanization
88 Textile Industry Mechanization
89 Vehicle Production

90 Business and Special Craft Industries
91 Commercial Organization
92 Commercial Inventions and Wares
93 Arms, Weapons, and Military
94 Mechanical Computation
95 Communication
96 Business-Office-Postal Industries
97 Medical-Biomechanical Industries
98 Entertainment Industries
 
The ME Heritage TimeLine is a database chronology of mechanical engineering achievements throughout time. This chronology identifies inventions, production firsts, and feats important to mechanical engineers. The chronology spans 3500 BCE to CE 1980, starting with the vehicular wheel. Though the focus is mechanical engineering, the topics include social and science fields to provide a perspective within world history.

CORRECTIONS and additions are welcomed, but please provide the references. E-mail: history@asme.org.

Some background:

BCE = BEFORE COMMON ERA
CE = COMMON ERA

Segments of this TimeLine appear under the topical categories listed to the left, with some of the breakout subcategories available as separate lists.

The entire TimeLine has 2,179 entries, or events. Only dates of the Common Era (aka A.D.) appear here, because of database limitations in sorting. Dates before the common era (BCE) will be listed separately for the time being.

Records are compiled from more than 200 references. Each event is supported by at least one reference, preferably two, and up to fifteen bibliographic references. The bibliography is not available on reports at this time. The bibliography is a mix of history texts, popular books, and specialty publications. It eventually will be categorized.

Most entries were placed in the spot where the original research was being conducted. Without crossreferences, you may wish to check other lists if something obvious is missing, starting with the general topic. For example, if a steam plant is missing from the steam subsection (64) of Prime Movers and Power Plants (60), first check in the Prime Movers overview or even the power plants subsection (69), then other lists. Errors in coding may place an event in the wrong list, so let us know when moves should be made. 

IMPORTANT: This TimeLine has not been reviewed critically in detail, and we welcome such review, even if partial. Please be sure not to expose this timeline, however, where it can used or republished as a final product. ASME cannot "own" the data, only the format.

This project was begun more than a decade ago under the sponsorship of the ASME History and Heritage Committee and interrupted for a number of years. We are notably more internationally minded today and have designated additional landmarks not noted in this database. We welcome these additions as well.