👉 Former engineering refers to the historical practices, methodologies, and technologies that were used in the design, construction, and operation of complex systems and structures before the advent of modern engineering disciplines. This includes traditional craftsmanship, such as woodworking and metalworking, as well as early scientific principles applied to practical problems. Engineers from this era often relied heavily on empirical knowledge, trial-and-error methods, and manual labor, with a focus on creating durable, functional, and sometimes aesthetically pleasing structures. They utilized materials like stone, brick, and timber, and their work was deeply integrated with the natural environment, often reflecting a harmonious balance between human ingenuity and nature's constraints. The knowledge and skills developed during this period laid the foundational principles that modern engineering continues to build upon, albeit with advanced tools and computational methods.