Consult encyclopedias for background information on engineering topics. Some may also include lists of background readings. Dictionaries define terms used in engineering.
REFERENCE T56 .I44 2006
Building the world : an encyclopedia of the great engineering projects in history. Edited by Frank Paul Davidson and Kathleen Lusk-Brooke. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2006.
An encyclopedia of great building projects from the wonders of the ancient world to modern satellite communications and space exploration. In addition to a description of the projects, each entry includes information historical and cultural background, planning, and documents relating to their creation.
REFERENCE TA11 .E73 1989
Erb, Uwe and Harald Keller. Dictionary of engineering acronyms and abbreviations. New York: Neal-Schuman, 1988.
Alphabetical listing of abbreviations and acronyms commonly used in engineering. Gives the terms for the abbreviations, but no definitions.
REFERENCE TA11 .E5
Encyclopedia of engineering signs and symbols. Edited by David D. Polon. New York, : Odyssey Press, 1965.
Explanations of graphic symbols from all fields of engineering.
REFERENCE Q123 .E497 1986
Encyclopedia of physical science and technology. Edited by Robert A. Meyers. Orlando: Academic Press, 1986-
An authorative encyclopedia of all fields of the physical sciences and tchnology. Articles are written at a level intended for undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and practicing scientists and engineers; each includes a brief bibliography.
REFERENCE T9 .G25x
G.K. Hall encyclopedia of modern technology. Edited by David Blackburn and Geoffrey Holister. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1987.
An illustrated amd readable introduction to technology, divided into sections covering measuring, seeing, recording, analyzing, powering, protecting, communicating, moving, and processin.
REFERENCE TA9 .M35 1984
McGraw-Hill dictionary of engineering. Edited by Sybil P. Parker. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1984.
Brief definitions of terms from all engineering disciplines.
REFERENCE TA9 .M36 1983
McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of engineering. Edited by Sybil P. Parker. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1983.
A selection of articles from the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (5th ed., 1982) on engineering topics.
REFERENCE Q121 .M3 1997
McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science & technology. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997.
This encyclopedia contains over 7000 articles listed by broad subject categories such as (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.) It is intended for those who wish to use the encyclopedia for self-study, however many articles have a high technical level. Each articles is accompanied by an excellent bibliography.