Engineering
![The steam engine, a major driver in the Industrial Revolution, underscores the importance of engineering in modern history. This beam engine is on display in the Technical University of Madrid.](/Images/godic/202502/15/Maquina_vapor_Watt_ETSIIM0953.jpg")
![Relief map of the Citadel of Lille, designed in 1668 by Vauban, the foremost military engineer of his age.](/Images/godic/202502/15/Grondplan_citadel_Lille0953.JPG")
![The Ancient Romans built aqueducts to bring a steady supply of clean fresh water to cities and towns in the empire.](/Images/godic/202502/15/Pont_du_gard0953.jpg")
![The International Space Station represents a modern engineering challenge from many disciplines.](/Images/godic/202502/15/International_Space_Station_after_undocking_of_STS-1320953.jpg")
Engineering is the application of mathematics, empirical evidence and scientific, economic, social, and practical knowledge in order to invent, innovate, design, build, maintain, research, and improve structures, machines, tools, systems, components, materials, and processes.