As far as the contextual treatment is concerned, “Engenho e Obra - Engineering in Portugal throughout the 20th century” is analysed and exhibited under the framework of the main phases, corresponding to different moments and opportunities of development for engineering in Portugal, including the teaching of engineering. The aspects considered to set up the various contextual periods comprise the chronological treatment of the following five subjects:

• Political setting;
• Economic policy;
• Economic and social context,
• Teaching of engineering and research;
• International technological developments.

The analysis of these issues involved the identification of the following five contextual periods:

Constitutional Monarchy and the First Republic

Launching the basis for the teaching of engineering; construction and growth of a heavyweight industrial conglomerate in the Barreiro region (i.e., the CUF company), and the development of a diversification strategy, which extended the company’s operation to almost all sectors of activity; success and failure of the industrial boost in the post-war period.

From the establishment of the Dictatorial Regime (Estado Novo) to World War II

Rise and affirmation of engineers and engineering and the policy of infrastructure construction; prolongation of the debate on what would be the most appropriate economic model for the Portuguese context; emergence of a movement supporting an economic development model based on industrialization and whose mentor, besides a strong core of entrepreneurs, would be the “Engineer”; launching of the corporative basis and industrial conditioning; unification of the Portuguese internal market through the construction of a road network and the start-up of the development policy for the mining sector.

War as a turning point. The new paths of electrification and modernisation

The role of engineers in the definitive affirmation of the industrialisation movement based on a policy of self-sufficient energy supply and import substitution; approval of laws No. 2002 and 2005, regarding respectively Portugal’s electrification and industrial development and reorganization; the impressive capabilities of hydro-electrical power stations and the development of the heavy metallomechanical sector.

The 50s and 60s. The paths of modernisation.

Introduction of high-pressure chemistry; rise of CUF, the steel sector and oil industry; public transport and the Lisbon subway; new requirements of urbanisation and land use re-planning; intensification of forest exploitation.

Democracy and the turning towards Europe. From 25th April 1974 to the end of the century

New opportunities arose when Portugal entered the European Community and through the progressive globalisation of the economy but, above all, through the emergence of a society based on scientific and technological knowledge. During this period, the development of the moulding sector and the launching of the automobile sector, as well as the shoemaking sector, should be pointed out. The emergence of the “network” concept, which was facilitated by the new information and communication technologies; environmental issues and economic and social sustainability; engineering and ethics.

These five periods are analysed throughout the exhibition, as are the main issues relating to the historical, social and economic context in which engineering in Portugal developed during the 20th century. The analysis also includes a discussion of the main aspects associated with teaching and research on engineering. Thus, this contribution aims at facilitating the interpretation and knowledge of the successive innovation moments which have occurred in Portugal, at trying to structure the surge in great engineering works and achievements, and at analysing the development of the innovation dissemination process, which results from different public policies and strategies of the private sector adopted throughout the centuries.