October 12, 2000
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmMechanical Wonders of the Modern World
By Kristin Leutwyler
With far less fanfare than the Nobel announcements this week, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) unveiled its list of the top 10 greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. Topping the list was the Apollo Space Program, an undertaking by NASA that consisted of 28 missions and at its peak employed almost 400,000 people. The most famous mission¿Apollo 11, which delivered two astronauts to the moon on July 20, 1969 (right)¿"turned a dream into an engineering challenge, on which the prestige of the United States would rest," notes ASME's Mechanical Engineering magazine in its October 2000 issue. ASME came up with the list by way of surveying members and tallying 1,400 responses. The remaining nine achievements considered major contributions to engineering progress and economic and social development during the past 100 years appear in the list below.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
TOP TEN TECHNOLOGIES, 1900-2000
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
