Engineering Marvels of

the past and present

By:Benjamin berry
Archimedes ray gun (213-212 B.C.)

The Ray gun is a series of mirrors focused together on a single object to light it on fire using power from the
sun. The ray gun was reportedly used during the siege of syracuse. This project would have taken several
mirrors and plenty of manpower. Along with copper and or bronze. Archimedes could have also used gears to
traverse the mirrors.
Archimedes ray gun (213-212 B.C.)

This involves military, mechanical and solar engineering. There is not an actual specific number cost to build
this weapon but nowadays it would cost about probably anywhere from 100-300 U.S. dollars.This project
appeals to me because he used a common everyday source of power and harnessed it to fight back against
the romans.
Medieval (1100)

The longbow was created some time around 1100.It uses military and mechanical engineering.It is made out
of yew wood and hemp. It cost 100 pounds and 4 years to make one bow. During this time period bow were
the best weapon this was used in the middle of europe.
Medieval (1100)

This appeals to me because I love war history and the strength and power of the longbow is unparalleled.I
think this bow is truly ahead of its time and worth the time to make it. I understand why people spent so
much time to make them.
Telescope (1608) (Hans)

The telescope was invented by a couple different people but I will focus on two of them. The first being Hans
lippershey in 1608. And the second being Galileo Galilei in 1609. Hans built his with a concave eyepiece and
then a convex objective lens. He either go the idea from two kids in his glass shop or his partner Zachary
Jansen. He lived in the Netherlands. He probably used wood and glass and glue to build his telescope. It
involves Mechanical engineering.
Telescope (1609) (Galileo)

The other person to build a telescope built his a bit different. Because it could magnify objects 30 times.His
used more glasses and he shaped the glass himself along with wood and a metal stand. It took him 5 years to
get to his final version but the first was built in just a few days. To make his it cost about 20-50 USD
depending on size and quality. I find this interesting because it seems so simple yet it works amazingly well
and led to so many discoveries.
Industrial revolution 1831

The invention for the industrial revolution is the mechanical reaper. Created in 1831 by Cyrus McCormick.This
used a horse to pull it and then a metal blade to cut and then a pan to hold the grain and a reel to put into
stacks.This appeals to me because it improved efficiency by over 300% which is a lot.This is not usually done
done in engineering. And it displaced the hand held scythe which had been in use for over 5000 years.
Industrial revolution 1831

To build this you need plenty of metal. Gears,wires,engine and other materials. It cost 1,360 USD.This was
used to harvest fields.It took about a week to build. It involves civil mechanical and electrical.
Second industrial revolution Pressurized suit
1934-1935
The first practical pressurized suit was created in 1934 by wiley post and Ernest Shults. This suit was made
out of double ply rubber parachute fabric, Pigskin gloves, rubber boots and an aluminum helmet pressurize
to .5 bars.This was used for his high altitudes round the world flight. Which at that time was a new concept.
Second industrial revolution Pressurized suit
1934-1935
This uses mechanical and electrical engineering. I think this is cool because it shows the world that you find a
limit and then break it with something new. This truly is an engineering marvel.
Information age F-35 II lightning
The F-35 was created as a joint strike fighter in 2006. The cost per plane is 75-80 million USD per plane due to
the engine and high quality parts. It was created and designed by Lockheed martin in Maryland. It takes
40,000-60,000 hours to build one plane. It has over 55,000 parts but could not find an actual parts list.
Information age F-35 II lightning

This uses mechanical,electrical and chemical engineering. The chemical comes from them being able to
change the fuel mixture to add more or less range. Here are some fun facts. The F-35 II can travel at a top
speed of mach 1.6 or 1,228 mph or 1976.2 kilometers per hour. The top range is 1,900 miles or 3,057.7
kilometers. It has a 10.8 meter wingspan or 35.4 feet and is just under 4.4 meters tall or 14.4 feet. I think this
is an awesome plane and feat of engineering. It proves that we can do anything we put our minds too. Before
this plane it was either slow and hover like an Osprey or fast but no hovering like and F-22 but now we have
combined both and I think that is amazing. Plus it is the world's foremost stealth fighter.