Famous Mechanical Engineers - List of Famous Mechanical Engineers

A mechanical engineer is a specialist in all fields related to machines, kinematics, thermodynamics and tools. One of the oldest disciplines of engineering, mechanical engineering is one of the largest producers of engineers around the world today, closely followed by civil and aeronautical engineers. Working as a mechanical engineer is known to be an enriching and rewarding experience and the job description involves working to plan, build and examine motor-powered vehicles, manufacturing plants, airplanes, industrial equipment, cybernetics and much more. These engineers are in a highly lucrative position and considering that mechanical engineering is an extraordinarily comprehensive field, the engineer can specialize in a number of areas including, applied mechanics, bioengineering, manufacturing engineering and nuclear engineering to name a few. The oldest documented mechanical engineers can be traced back to Ancient Greece and can be seen in the works of Archimedes. Zhang Heng, the inventor of the seismometer and the water clock, lived between the periods of 78-139 AD, who left behind a great legacy related to ‘mechanics’ around the world. Here is a compilation of a list of famous mechanical engineers, learn more fascinating facts and details about them with their biographies that include trivia, interesting facts, timeline and life history.

The Most Famous Mechanical Engineers

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Kitaw EjiguFebruary 25, 1948EthiopianKitaw Ejigu was an Ethiopian American engineer and political leader
Nikola TeslaJuly 10, 1856AmericanNikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, best known for his development of alternating current electrical systems
Franklin Chang DíazApril 5, 1950Chinese, Costa Rican, AmericanFranklin Chang-Diaz is an American-Costa Rican physicist and former NASA astronaut
Aurel StodolaMay 10, 1859SlovakAurel Stodola was a Slovak engineer and inventor
James WattJanuary 19, 1736ScottishJames Watt was a Scottish engineer and instrument maker, who is known for his invention of the first modern steam engine
Gustaf DalénNovember 30, 1869SwedishGustaf Dalén was a Swedish Nobel Laureate who invented automatic regulators, AGA cooker and the Dalén light
George StephensonJune 9, 1781BritishGeorge Stephenson was a British inventor who invented the first commercial locomotive and railways
Kate GleasonNovember 25, 1865AmericanKate Gleason was the first female member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Ayodele AwojobiMarch 12, 1937NigerienAyodele Awojobi was a Nigerian educator, author, inventor, and political activist
Kumar Bhattacharyya, Baron BhattacharyyaJune 6, 1940BritishKumar Bhattacharyya is an Indian British engineer who founded the Warwick Manufacturing Group
Gustaf Dalén

Gustaf Dalén

Gustaf Dalén was a Swedish Nobel Laureate who invented automatic regulators, AGA cooker and the Dalén light

SwedishNovember 30, 1869177 views

Kate Gleason

Kate Gleason was the first female member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers

AmericanNovember 25, 1865172 views

George Stephenson

George Stephenson was a British inventor who invented the first commercial locomotive and railways

BritishJune 9, 1781175 views

Aurel Stodola

Aurel Stodola was a Slovak engineer and inventor

SlovakMay 10, 1859253 views

Kumar Bhattacharyya, Baron Bhattacharyya

Kumar Bhattacharyya is an Indian British engineer who founded the Warwick Manufacturing Group

BritishJune 6, 1940135 views

Ayodele Awojobi

Ayodele Awojobi was a Nigerian educator, author, inventor, and political activist

NigerienMarch 12, 1937157 views

Kitaw Ejigu

Kitaw Ejigu was an Ethiopian American engineer and political leader

EthiopianFebruary 25, 1948589 views

Franklin Chang Díaz

Franklin Chang-Diaz is an American-Costa Rican physicist and former NASA astronaut

ChineseApril 5, 1950385 views

James Watt

James Watt was a Scottish engineer and instrument maker, who is known for his invention of the first modern steam engine

ScottishJanuary 19, 1736210 views

Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, best known for his development of alternating current electrical systems

AmericanJuly 10, 1856403 views