- Technical drawing can be traced as far back as the 3rd millennium BC to Babylon, where archaeological digs exhumed rudimentary drawing implements and designs. The process became formalized during the Italian Renaissance when Filippo Brunelleschi completed sketches of famous Florentine landmarks drawn perfectly to scale. Since the 18th century, specific disciplines of technical drawing have developed, and during the 20th century, these became aided by the use of computers.
- Technical drawing can be divided into four main disciplines or types: construction, cutaway, exploded view and patent.
- Construction drawings serve as the framework for blue prints used in designing some type of structure, while a patent drawing represents the internal make-up of a newly developed invention that is used to obtain a patent. A cutaway drawing is used to show the internal working parts of a complicated device or machine, and an exploded view drawing is used to instruct the viewer on the relationship or assembly of a machine or piece of equipment so that its set-up can be replicated.
- Technical drawings are utilized in a number of fields, including architects, engineers, interior designers, landscapers and graphic design specialists.
- Technical drawings that are produced by hand are considered "manually drafted." The process of producing technical drawings with the use of specially designed software is called "computer aided drafting." Both types of technical drawing require a high level of skill and usually involve the attainment of a certification or degree from a trade school, college or university.
