Many of the greatest advancements in history have come about as the direct result of those working as engineers. Engineers provide us with practical solutions for a host of problems, as well as advance practical science and technology. They take theories and ideas, and often turn them into working principles and products that better our lives. From the compound pulley system invented by the great Greek engineer Archimedes, to the tall buildings and air conditioned comfort we enjoy today, engineers have been at the forefront of our technological advancement.

While there have been many notable engineers throughout history, there are some whose inventions and insights have been exceptionally useful. From engineering students tinkering to improve old designs, to the engineers who have discovered sweeping laws that affect the way we view the scientific world, here are 20 of the most notable engineers:

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Amazing buildings are among the triumphs of engineering. We have pushed ourselves to the limits of height and of luxury. We work to create more sustainable buildings and even create buildings that sprawl across the land. Buildings seem to be a measure of our innovation and our abilities. An engineer can do well if he or she knows how to create buildings. Here are some of the most impressive buildings around, according to some interesting rankings: [click to continue…]

If you are interested in engineering, you probably know that you often need computer programs to help you accomplish various tasks. These computer programs can be expensive, though, or difficult to customize. With the help of open source software, though, you can usually find lower prices and have access to code that allows you to customize as needed.

No matter your engineering salary, you can benefit from open source software. Here are 25 great open source software apps that engineers might find helpful:
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America’s infrastructure is aging, and the solutions to repair transportation, waterways, construction and urban and rural environments are hot-button issues for all engineers, the general public and for politicians. Learn the facts about these issues through our 50 must-see report cards, studies and infographics on this country’s crumbling infrastructures. [click to continue…]

Engineers are interesting people with interesting jobs. Engineering encompasses many fields, and there are plenty of engineers eager to share what they know. As a result, it is no surprise that there are plenty of engineers on Twitter. If you are interested in learning a little bit more about engineering, you can follow these 50 interesting folks — including some engineering students — on Twitter.

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Some of the toughest engineering jobs on the planet today are those that need to repair reputations of past engineering jobs such as the failed levees in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Beyond this perspective, “tough” can be seen as challenges when new technologies are developed — such as genetically engineering foods — and as other engineering jobs are placed under scrutiny, such as petroleum engineering after the Gulf oil disaster this year. These top 10 tough engineering jobs face all these challenges…but, perhaps you would not want to be an engineer if you did not enjoy those tests to your knowledge, skill and expertise. [click to continue…]

If you want to boil the definition of an engineer down to one sentence, it probably would be that engineers apply science and math to create economical solutions to technical problems. While civil engineering is considered the oldest field within the engineering discipline, and mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines, at least eighteen other fields exist where individuals can ply their science and math skills. Some fields, like nuclear engineering are fairly new when compared to civil engineering. [click to continue…]

Engineering careers can vary from studies about landslides to planning urban designs that might prove sustainable. Engineering blogs reflect the same variety, including topics that touch on software, networking structures, automobiles, mining and more. To be part of the top 50 engineering blogs on this list, the blog must have an entry from the middle of March 2010 to show current interest, and it also must be at the top of its game in search results, no matter if it focuses on water, building or — yes — even farming. [click to continue…]

It may seem really easy to lump all engineering into one category. However, the truth is that there are several different types of engineering. If you are interested in learning more about engineering, you can read about the different types of programs available. No matter your engineering degree, though, you can expect to earn a good salary, since engineers are in high demand.

If you are interested in learning a little bit more about the world around you, and about engineering, here are 50 free open courseware classes that address different aspects of engineering. [click to continue…]

In terms of infrastructure, USA is one of the most advanced and developed country of the world. However, in real situation no one is perfect and that lies even with infrastructure scenario in even USA too. Most of the infrastructure problems in US lies due to funding at all levels whether it is governmental or spectral. Below are some most rampant infrastructure problems in US.

1. Roads and Bridges: Passenger and commercial travel on highways has improved in a massive way through previous last 10 years and US has started thinking serious into the repair of road and bridges. However, it is yet under investing in that area, which is a dangerous trend and is needed to be looked at.
2. Mass transit: In this area there remains a considerable backlog of overage buses and rail vehicles. And complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Clean Air Act amendments presents a new problem before mass transit.
3. Aviation: Though the U.S. aviation system is in neat shape presently, however, it faces extreme crunch of finances the near future without reorganization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and rising investment in airport facilities and air traffic technology. The level of air travel can be disturbed if it is not updated and expanded in appropriate manner.
4. Drinking Water: The condition of drinking water has been improved in many communities after the enforcement of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1986. However, efforts are needed for protecting underground water and its resources.
5. Dams: Lives of Americans depend on dams for water supply, power generation, flood control, irrigation, and recreation. Problem is that many of American dams have lived out their life and are in need of repair. Though effort has been made to improve conditions yet there are many unsafe dams at risk.
6. Waste Water: Despite clean water legislation in 1972 many of the America’s rivers are not more than open sewers. Wetlands disappeared at the rapid rate and rivers like Cuyahoga in Cleveland were burning. Though water quality has improved to a greater extent yet the acceptable limits are yet to be reached out by.
7. Solid waste: All the efforts to recycle and reduce the amount of waste that America generates are wearing out to ever increasing population. States and municipalities are running out of space to put waste, and communities continue to oppose landfill sites. However land filling has become safer with introduction of new technologies.
8. Hazardous waste: This is the next infra problem for America that gathers nearly 530,000,000 tons of the municipal and industrial wastes every year classified as hazardous to health or the environment. Industry contributes more than half of this waste. And the waste cleaning process has become more expensive and slower after the enactment of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, better known as Superfund, was enacted in 1980.
9. Schools: As according to a recent survey, nearly 88, 000 public elementary and secondary schools is America of substandard condition and requires major repairs due to leaking  roofs, plumbing problems, inadequate heating, or other system failures.
10. Railways: Once there was a lot to talk about American railroads as they crisscrossed the nation. But by 20th century passing by American railways lost its glory and charm   and by 1970 enormous amount of American Rail heritage was withered out. And that all is needed to be restored once again.