Few professions have shaped the modern world as profoundly as engineering. Engineers do not merely solve problems: they devise, construct, and replicate ingenious machines that amplify human power over nature and, not infrequently, over other human beings. This course traces the emergence and evolution of the engineer in Europe, examining how a craft without formal training became a central and authoritative profession. Through case studies, the course explores engineering in its social, political, and cultural contexts, highlighting the tensions between innovation, power, and control. Students will engage in hands-on learning, including field trips (such as to the Huntington Library), 3D printing, and analysis of historical case studies.