Five little known facts about engineering

The world as we know it would not exist without engineering. There would be no highways, water systems, electricity and other infrastructure that is essential to our everyday lives. It’s also at the heart of much of our recreation, of course. Where would roller coasters or water slides be without good engineering? We hope you have fun exploring these five little-known facts about engineering.

Engineers designed running shoes. Engineers are responsible for making sure your foot stays comfortable and cool during your morning run. Engineers figure out how much force travels from your foot to the ground, and then design a shoe focused on protection, performance and comfort.

The first computer program was designed in 1843. Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician and writer, published a paper explaining a plan for calculating Bernoulli numbers called the “Analytical Engine.”

The largest wind turbine is located in Denmark. This turbine is 720 feet tall and features 260-foot blades that can generate eight megawatts of power. That’s enough to supply electricity for 3,000 American homes!

Launching the Apollo space shuttle is one of the biggest engineering triumphs in history. The launching of this space shuttle has greatly influenced the world’s knowledge of space travel. The technology created by engineers has made space travel possible with the advancement of energy systems, materials and computers.

Interactive television would not exist without engineers. Do you enjoy recording your new favorite TV show or scrolling through hundreds of channels? Engineers play a huge role in interactive television by designing new cables, creating emulsions and generating better sound quality.