Figure 1. Structural and materials & process solutions timelines. The history of human engineering is defined by three successive structural technologies: (1) Post & Beam Construction, developed by prehistoric man; (2) the arch, developed by the ancient Romans; and (3) Reflexive Materials Technologies (RMT™ technologies), which are a synthesis of the two earlier technologies. Like Post & Beam Construction and the arch, RMT™ technologies are a way to organize sturdy materials, e.g., metals, plastics, and ceramics, for improved structural performance