Engineering
![A female mechanic works on an airplane engine](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/47o2TLH3MNRmFLqVnCR78T-320-80.jpg)
Engineering is a diverse branch of science and technology devoted to designing, building, problem-solving and finding practical uses for scientific discoveries. Live Science guides you through the different types of engineering— mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering and many more — with explainers on everything from who invented the telephone to how Bluetooth works.
Our expert writers and editors also scour the internet to break down the biggest engineering stories of the day, like biodegradable bullets or the world’s longest bridges. So, if you've got a mind for the mechanical, check out our latest engineering news, features and articles.
Latest about Engineering
![Star Wars Les derniers Jedi Star Wars The last Jedi 2017 Real Rian Johnson Daisy Ridley.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TbWPbxaDJettQjcqYnECyT-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TbWPbxaDJettQjcqYnECyT-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TbWPbxaDJettQjcqYnECyT-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TbWPbxaDJettQjcqYnECyT-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TbWPbxaDJettQjcqYnECyT-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TbWPbxaDJettQjcqYnECyT-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TbWPbxaDJettQjcqYnECyT-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TbWPbxaDJettQjcqYnECyT-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Scientists uncover the secret to building Star Wars-style laser weapons — but don't worry, we won't have a Death Star anytime soon
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet published
Today's infrared lasers are only powerful enough to disable aerial targets, but scientists now have the keys to building high-powered laser weaponry that can 'melt' distant targets.
![Old telephone made of copper](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ek8NCRxdKrXrXHfPEzmhBZ-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ek8NCRxdKrXrXHfPEzmhBZ-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ek8NCRxdKrXrXHfPEzmhBZ-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ek8NCRxdKrXrXHfPEzmhBZ-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ek8NCRxdKrXrXHfPEzmhBZ-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ek8NCRxdKrXrXHfPEzmhBZ-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ek8NCRxdKrXrXHfPEzmhBZ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ek8NCRxdKrXrXHfPEzmhBZ-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Who invented the telephone?
By Joe Phelan published
Did Alexander Graham Bell really invent the telephone, or did he steal someone else's thunder?
![Bluetooth speaker](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYVE5BCq2Md7oVmbCNnS23-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYVE5BCq2Md7oVmbCNnS23-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYVE5BCq2Md7oVmbCNnS23-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYVE5BCq2Md7oVmbCNnS23-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYVE5BCq2Md7oVmbCNnS23-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYVE5BCq2Md7oVmbCNnS23-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYVE5BCq2Md7oVmbCNnS23-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYVE5BCq2Md7oVmbCNnS23-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Bluetooth: Who invented it and how does it work?
By Mark Smith last updated
Reference Bluetooth was inspired by a Nordic king and harnesses the power of radio. How has this wireless connectivity reshaped our electronic ecosystems.
![Infrared camera imaging a house](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7zwjJYzqSvkTawbJFLz3NX-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7zwjJYzqSvkTawbJFLz3NX-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7zwjJYzqSvkTawbJFLz3NX-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7zwjJYzqSvkTawbJFLz3NX-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7zwjJYzqSvkTawbJFLz3NX-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7zwjJYzqSvkTawbJFLz3NX-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7zwjJYzqSvkTawbJFLz3NX-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7zwjJYzqSvkTawbJFLz3NX-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Infrared cameras: Invention and uses
By Scott Dutfield published
Reference The science behind infrared cameras and how they "see" heat.
![The Benz 1.5, designed by Karl Benz](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Li24SU4qP4yHTRsfnUV7K5-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Li24SU4qP4yHTRsfnUV7K5-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Li24SU4qP4yHTRsfnUV7K5-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Li24SU4qP4yHTRsfnUV7K5-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Li24SU4qP4yHTRsfnUV7K5-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Li24SU4qP4yHTRsfnUV7K5-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Li24SU4qP4yHTRsfnUV7K5-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Li24SU4qP4yHTRsfnUV7K5-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Who invented the car?
By Lauren Cox published
Reference Working out who invented the car is not as simple as you might think as the automobile we know today had a long journey to being created.
![Jaws of Life](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CfEoUQfpjdwPH7wWdFN3hC-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CfEoUQfpjdwPH7wWdFN3hC-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CfEoUQfpjdwPH7wWdFN3hC-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CfEoUQfpjdwPH7wWdFN3hC-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CfEoUQfpjdwPH7wWdFN3hC-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CfEoUQfpjdwPH7wWdFN3hC-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CfEoUQfpjdwPH7wWdFN3hC-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CfEoUQfpjdwPH7wWdFN3hC-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Jaws of Life: Invention, tools and uses
By Ailsa Harvey published
Reference The Jaws of Life are the favoured hydraulic tool for safely removing car crash victims. The equipment can cut car frames apart and lift crushing weights from passengers.
![bionic eye](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VDLbXnnNbVy2dSwD99PCRY-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VDLbXnnNbVy2dSwD99PCRY-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VDLbXnnNbVy2dSwD99PCRY-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VDLbXnnNbVy2dSwD99PCRY-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VDLbXnnNbVy2dSwD99PCRY-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VDLbXnnNbVy2dSwD99PCRY-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VDLbXnnNbVy2dSwD99PCRY-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VDLbXnnNbVy2dSwD99PCRY-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Bionic eyes: How tech is replacing lost vision
By Mark Smith published
Reference Like something from a science fiction movie, bionic eyes are artificial eyes which can enhance and even replace lost vision. The tech is still in its infancy, but the potential is huge.
![A red bicycle is chained to a bridge in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrkiyzhdhEUkAXonBuB2LG-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrkiyzhdhEUkAXonBuB2LG-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrkiyzhdhEUkAXonBuB2LG-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrkiyzhdhEUkAXonBuB2LG-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrkiyzhdhEUkAXonBuB2LG-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrkiyzhdhEUkAXonBuB2LG-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrkiyzhdhEUkAXonBuB2LG-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrkiyzhdhEUkAXonBuB2LG-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Who invented the bicycle?
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Reference The bicycle has a complicated past fraught with controversy and misinformation.
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