Final answer:
The title of 'world's first engineer' is often attributed to Imhotep of Ancient Egypt, a figure far earlier than those listed. Notably, Imhotep designed the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, and none of the options given (a. Vitruvius, b. James Watt, c. Nikola Tesla, d. Gustave Eiffel) is credited as the world's first engineer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "Who is known as the world's first engineer?" refers to a historical figure recognized for advancements in engineering. Among the options provided, James Watt is notable for his improvements to the steam engine while Gustave Eiffel is renowned for his contributions to bridge and tower design. Neither Nikola Tesla nor Vitruvius is credited as the world's first engineer. However, the title of the first engineer is often attributed to a figure much earlier than those listed, such as Imhotep of Ancient Egypt, who is considered by many as one of the first engineers in history. He worked as an architect, engineer, and physician and is often credited with the design of the Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Egypt in the 27th century BCE. Therefore, while the individuals listed made significant contributions to engineering, none of them is recognized as the 'first' engineer historically.