Book excerpt: Blueprints (prints) are copies of mechanical or other types of technical drawings. The term blueprint reading means interpreting ideas expressed by others on drawings, whether or not the drawings are actually blueprints. Drawing or sketching is the universal language used by engineers, technicians, and skilled craftsmen. Drawings need to convey all the necessary information to the person who will make or assemble the object in the drawing. Blueprints show the construction details of parts, machines, ships, aircraft, buildings, bridges, roads, and so forth.