A brief account of man, material and manufacturing: On the timeline

Abstract

Material is an omnipresent part of the universe; anything from a chalk particle to heavy cement concrete, a tiny atom to a steel bar, soil to ceramics constitutes materials. In this work, it is found that most pivotal milestones are marked by the discovery or synthesis of few new materials accompanied by their processing techniques in human history. Using Copper to the gradual unfolding infinite space of alloys including more than 3000 grades of Steel and an unchartered world of High Entropy Alloys. Standalone materials are stones and dust unless processed or shaped by appropriate manufacturing techniques. Manufacturing has been a necessary chore of human civilization since before the recorded history. In this paper the development of materials science and manufacturing technology is reviewed from the Stone Age to contemporary age. The findings of this works lay a strong foundation for the understanding of crucial developments connecting man, materials and manufacturing. Furthermore, materials and manufacturing are interdependent streams of engineering, without one other is redundant.