Engineering not only teaches the subjects it teaches how to live in this complicated world. It is a tree having so many branches and each having its unique identity in this world. From the past, royalness stands for civil and is root of all the branches. Civil engineering has been an aspect of life since the beginning of human existence. Between 4000-2000 BC, in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, I,e. ancient Iraq, humans started to feel the need for constructing shelter rather than wandering about and leading a nomadic life. This was the commencement of civil engineering.
The construction of pyramids in Egypt are some of the first instances of large structure constructions. Till modern times there was no clear distinction between a Civil engineer and an Architect and the term architect and engineer were often referred to the same person until the 18th century. In 18th century, the term “CIVIL ENGINEEARING” came into use to describe civil engineering work that was performed by civilians for nonmilitary purposes. The first self pro-claimed Civil Engineer was John Smeaton who constructed Eddy Stone Lighthouse and from them the milestones are: Wheel suspension bridge 1849, Mintos Ledfe Light House 1860, Central Pacific Rail Roads 1863, Bollam Truss Bridge 1869, Pelton Wheel 1878, Great Fall Race Way and Power System 1880 and Eiffel Tower 1889. Ingalls Building (1903) was the first 15 stories building ever built.
The first private college to teach Civil Engineering in the United States was NORWICH UNIVERSITY, Vermont. The first degree in Civil Engineering in the United States was awarded by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1853. John Wesley Gunn of Lexington received the first Civil Engineering degree from A & M UK in 1890. The first Civil Engineering degree to be awarded to a women was granted by Cornell University to Nora Stanton Blatch in 1905.
The institution of civil engineers (ICE) was founded in a coffee shop in London in 1818 by eight young civil engineers, the youngest was 19. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) was founded in 1852.
Ancient historic Civil Engineering constructions include the Qanat water management system which brings ground water to surface just by hot air without any need of electricity and motor. It is older than 3000 years and 71kms long. The Parthenon by iktions in ancient Greece which is built for the goddess Athena in 447-438 BC was one of its kind. The apian way by roman engineering is 90 km long and it was built in 312 BC. The Great Wall of China in 220 BC. The first Hydraulic Pump which could raise water efficiently was operated by hand which was made by the great Archimedes.
