For example ... their roads. They are still driving on them today, albeit with some improvements.
Why did they engineer like that?
Why did they engineer like that?
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"For example ... their roads. They are still driving on them today, albeit with some improvements."
Your example reminds me of the story of the retiring construction worker giving advice to his trainees:
"Whatever you do, look after your kit. See this spade? This spade has served me well for forty years. Mind you, I've looked after it. In the time I've had it, it's had three new blades and four new handles..."
The short answer to your real question I suspect is: "They didn't know any better."
Lacking modern insight and based on craft skills, they had to over-design everything.
The whole thrust of modern engineering design methodology appears to be about using the minimum amount of the cheapest materials which will perform the design task adequately.
The other point is that we only see the success stories. The stuff which collapsed or crumbled to dust is lost to us.
Your example reminds me of the story of the retiring construction worker giving advice to his trainees:
"Whatever you do, look after your kit. See this spade? This spade has served me well for forty years. Mind you, I've looked after it. In the time I've had it, it's had three new blades and four new handles..."
The short answer to your real question I suspect is: "They didn't know any better."
Lacking modern insight and based on craft skills, they had to over-design everything.
The whole thrust of modern engineering design methodology appears to be about using the minimum amount of the cheapest materials which will perform the design task adequately.
The other point is that we only see the success stories. The stuff which collapsed or crumbled to dust is lost to us.