Mechanical means mechanisms of machines. A Mechanical engineer is a person skilled in design, Production and Maintenance or repair of machines, according to oxford concise dictionary. It is a discipline in which mathematics and science are blended with experience and judgment for the production of useful serviceable goods with economy of the material.

             Historically, Civil Engineering and Military Engineering were the primary classification of engineering. They developed technical aids of warfare and defense. In 1906 efforts were initiated to establish Mechanical Engineering separate at Banaras, Guindy, Pune & Bengal.

 With growing civilization Civil Engineering came to be concerned primarily with static structures like dams, bridges, buildings and roads while the Mechanical Engineering concentrated on dynamic structures such as machinery, engines, turbines and pumps.

Probably the earliest-known mechanical invention is due to Archimedes,(287-212 B.C.), Who developed a water screw and a lever for moving heavy weights by a small force. The process of industrial revolution however began invention of atmospheric steam engine by Thomas Newcomen in the year 1712, followed by steam engine by James Watt in the year 1768. By the year 1786 steam engine were used for driving paper mills, corn mills, cotton spinning mills and were deployed in steel, mining and other industries. These engines were used to propel boats, ships and railroad carriages etc. by the year 1825. The course of transport-industry was dramatically changed by the introduction of I.C. engines in the year 1885.

During the course of studies in Mechanical Engineering, the knowledge of Mathematics, Physics, Thermodynamics, Mechanics of Materials and Fluid statics, Dynamics and Chemistry with a specialized knowledge of the Metal cutting, Machine tools, Manufacturing system, etc. The syllabus in Mechanical Engineering are designed so as to cater for the needs of manufacturing industries, the power sector, corporations, private and govt. R & D departments, teaching institutions etc. With the growth of technologies the new subjects of studies are also introduced such as computer aided design and graphics, Mechatronics, Robotics etc.

In terms of employment, Mechanical engineers are self-employed as consultants or entrepreneurs. There exists a vast scope for Mechanical Engineering graduates, in Industrial organizations including Steel, Aluminium, Fertilizer and Cement industry, Petro-chemical complex, Textile and paper mills, railway Locoworks, Railway carriage factory, Ship yards, Aeronautical industries, Automobile industries, Armament industries, Cranes & earth moving equipment industries, Large forging and foundry units, units producing domestic items like Refrigerators, Air-conditioner, Washing machines, Water coolers, Sewing machines Domestic and Industrial brake lining and machine tool industries.

Apart from campus recruitments the Mechanical Engineering graduates find their jobs in merchant navy, and the three wings of Armed forces. With the growing automation, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) have opened up lucrative job position in software engineering for Mechanical Engineers.

This only goes to indicate that, as in past, Mechanical Engineering disciples will continue to offer good jobs for many more years to come.