The work of mechanical engineers spans a number of different fields and disciplines, with a great deal of the emphasis on the creation, design, construction, and installation of mechanical devices (things with moving parts) that make modern life more comfortable, such as elevators, engines, and motors.
Product development is also an area that requires the talents of a good mechanical engineer. In some cases, this may be the refinement of an existing product, such as automobiles or household kitchen appliances. As part of this type of application, the mechanical engineer may seek to enhance current products so that a higher level of efficiency is achieved resulting in household products becoming more affordable, such as microwave ovens.
Mechanical engineers also develop products that create something new, such as new concepts for space exploration and communication. Some of the most important technological innovations of the last century are directly attributed to mechanical engineers, whose creativity and vision often helped to make the impossible become a reality within a short number of years.