New book tells the stories behind 100 Australian engineering innovations

Budj Bim, the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme, satellite tracking stations — these are just a few of Australia’s many engineering achievements highlighted in a new book.

Canberra’s Old Parliament House was the backdrop for Monday’s launch of Wonders Never Cease, a book that highlights 100 significant Australian engineering achievements.

Engineers Australia National President Trish White said the book is a celebration of the country’s rich engineering history and the many contributions engineers have made to building the nation.

“Engineers have taken often visionary ideas and turned them into practical realities, and the pages of this book highlight the combination of toil and genius that have shaped the Australia we live in today,” she said.

Readers can discover the stories behind achievements dating back to the ancient stone weirs for fish and eel farming developed by the Gunditjmara people in south-west Victoria 6600 years ago.

Some achievements featured are well known, such as the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the black box flight recorder and WiFi. But others explore lesser known works such as the country’s first digital computer, Australian space tracking stations and radar technology.

The most recent innovation featured is the hypersonic scramjet engine, which has the potential to slash international travel times.

Australia’s past engineering achievements come to life through images and the stories of the people behind the innovations, all curated by Engineering Heritage Australia. The book was produced as part of Engineers Australia’s centenary celebrations.

“A centenary is time to take stock and, through Wonders Never Cease, we can look back and marvel at our Australian engineering accomplishments,” White said.

To order your copy of Wonders Never Cease: 100 Australian Engineering Achievements, click here.