DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 01 



at bis eoiK-liisioiis from studies based ou experit'iice witb similar pre- 

 vious eoustnictious, and bis knowledge of tbe laws of nature obtained 

 perbaps in unsystematic and laborious Avays and often imperfectly, 

 but obtained in some nmnner, Avas sufficient to enable him to design 

 and produce constructions which while safe and reliable did not extend 

 the held of practice to any great extent. *• - 



As illustrating the achievements of the early engineers Avithout a 

 general college training it \vill suffice to mention James Watt, who is 

 often classed as a great inventor. A study of Watt's life, experience, 

 and so-called invention must lead to the conclusion that his work Avas 

 principally engineering and tlie success which the steam engine at- 

 tained under his hands Avas due more to the engineering processes of 

 construction and development than to the fact that its condenser Avas 

 separated from the engine cjdinder. Watts Avas perhaps as Avell trained 

 for this Avork as any man at that time living, since, although not a col- 

 lege student himself, be had all the benefit Avhich could arise from the 

 use of the scientific apparatus of Glasgow University and the advice 

 of the most scientific men of his time. The practical results which he 

 produced Avere largely due to the engineering improAcments brought 

 about by the use ol' better tools and better Avorkshops and the training 

 of Avorkmen in the art. As illustrating the low stale of the engineering 

 art at the time of Watt, I may mention the fact that W^att, after three 

 unsuccessful trials in the casting of a cylinder for his engine, expressed 

 himself as greatly elated Avhen a cylinder Avas secured Avhich was not 

 more than y^ inch out of round. The engineering genius of Watt and 

 his associates OA'ercame such difficulties and the dcA'clopment of the 

 steam engine, which Avas in his bands extremely rapid, was assured 

 more, by engineering advances and developments than by invention. 



From the consideration of Avhat the engineer is required to do, much 

 light is thrown upon Avhat he must knoAV and some of the fundamental 

 things Avhich he must study. 



It is evident that if he must make application of the hiAvs of nature 

 he must be familiar Avith them to as great an extent as possible. In 

 colleges these laws, which are of principal value to tlie engineer, are 

 tauglit under the head of Physics and Chemistry. It is at once evident 

 that in some branches of engineering the com j)()si lion of materials 

 and the internal molecular laws governing such composition as taught 

 in Chemistr}' may be of little importance Avhereas in certain other 

 branches of engineering the laAvs of nature as revealed in Geology and 

 Mineralogy nia^^ become of great importance. 



The engineer must also be familiar Avith the tools for using and 

 applying the laAVS of nature; hence he must know mathematics. Mathe- 

 matics are the tools necessary in all computations, estimates, and all 

 the preliminary engineering calculations essential for the production 

 of a successful result. 



Fundamentally, then, the basis of all engin(K^ring shidies is a train- 

 ing in 



Mathenmtics, 



^h3^sics, 



Chemistry. 



I lay great stress on these particular studies for they are often dis- 

 tasteful to the student, for the reason that he does not perceive any 



