History of Chemical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology 1881–1988

Abstract

New Jersey Institute of Technology is an outgrowth of the Newark Technical School which was founded in 1881, by an Act of the New Jersey General Assembly, to meet the demands of the industrialization of northern New Jersey. During this period following the Civil War northern New Jersey, had undergone industrialization in all areas of mechanical, chemical and electrical engineering. Although civil engineering, the oldest of the engineering professions had played a significant role in construction of bridges in the New York area like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Newark Technical School initially focussed on chemical, electrical and mechanical programs. In fact, its yearbook was named, “KEM-LEC-MEK”. Northern New Jersey was also the center of invention. Thomas Alva Edison did his work not far from Newark and Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in this area. There were many other inventors and industrialists operating near Newark, and the financial capitol at Wall Street was only 10 miles away. The time had come to begin an educational program to support this industrial expansion.