HPS282S - HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Spring 1998
Early Engineers
8 January 1998
I. The Vitruvian Engineer
A. Engineers before Vitruvius
1. Etymologies of the word "engineer"
B. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio and his idea of "architect" (master builder)
1. The "architect" knows many different things
2. They are generalists who cultivate theory
3. They are people who combine theory and practice
C. Contents of Vitruvius's De Architectura ca. 25 BC.
II. The Medieval Master Mason
A. Achievements of the cathedral builders in Europe
B. Some myths about the cathedrals
C. The Itinerant Engineer: Villard de Honnecourt
D. The Transmission of a Tradition
