Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnic University
Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnic University:
Mechanical Engineering is a key discipline in what makes engineering, engineering. From physics, mathematics, designing, material sciences, and manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering works with anything that moves that is in need of improving efficiency.
We see Mechanical Engineering throughout history and everyday of our lives! From vehicles to medical gear, mechanical engineering is all around us. Which is why this engineering discipline has always been a prominent department throughout any engineering school, especially Polytechnic University of Brooklyn, which is now NYU Tandon School of Engineering.
***Insert picture of Mechanical Systems***
NYU’s Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Department is a thriving group of engineers that focus on breakthroughs in “robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, nanotechnology and materials engineering, computational engineering biomechanics and healthcare applications.” (NYU Tandon).
Mechanical Engineering Student using Lab Equipment
Like any college curriculum, there are bound to be changes, especially in Mechanical Engineering. Compared to a 100 years ago, mechanical systems have drastically changed, in how they are standardized, structured, and ultimately what their main purpose is. At Polytechnic, we see these changes by looking at the Mechanical Engineering course catalogs, student life, labs, and offered opportunities throughout the years. But what makes me wonder is, what caused these changes? Were these changes caused by internal decisions at Poly, or were they caused by external changes from societal demand in the USA and/or New York.
History of Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnic and NYU:
The Polytechnic Institute was founded in 1854, after the unfortunate fire of the Brooklyn Female Academy that caused the building to be unrecoverable after the fire. This tragic event was the catalyst that would start the founding of Brooklyn Polytechnic, as a source of higher education for New York City, serving as the second oldest engineering school in the country.
Soon after the school’s original founding, the Mechanical Engineering department was
- When the first general professor was added into the program.
***Insert a picture of the 100 Years of Mechanical Engineering at Poly***
***Make a timeline and upload it of the main points in Polytechnic history***
- Then introduce that in addition to the Mechanical Engineering Department, there were sub-departments, such as the Manufacturing Engineering Department and Aerospace Engineering Department.
- They were its own entity and focused on two different aspects of Mechanical Engineering, which connected to the nation needed to survive worldly events throughout history, such as WWII, Cold War, Post-War and the technological evolution.
Manufacturing Engineering Department Deep-Dive:
- Manufacturing Engineering made appearances within the Mechanical Department
- During the 1960s, majors in Industrial Management and Metallurgical Engineering had expanded in Polytechnic.
- Talk about connections to Post World War II, and how there was a boom of manufacturing and factory work to keep up with the economic boom.
\
Cite: Catalog 1967-1968
Aerospace Engineering Department Deep-Dive:
- In 1931, the Aerospace Engineering department was launched at Polytechnic, with its first course, Airplane Designs and Aerodynamics and Airplane Structures.
- This connects back to Post WW1, which was the first major war that had used powered flight, increasing aerial warfare.
- Find an article discussing the high usage of aircraft during this time.
- Mention that this was the start of Aerospace research and then go into the different labs and research of the labs.
- Discuss the course catalogs of the Aerospace Department
- “A History of Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.” 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2009. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2009-1164
Future of Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering will always change
- Discuss what the future will look like
- Use a secondary source and explain the technological trends that are occurring in the present day.
References
Primary Sources:
Polytechnic University. Department of Aerospace Engineering Promotional Brochure.Unprocessed Mech E and Aero Brochures.
Poly Archives; Poly Archives Historic Photograph Collection; Series II: Academics; Subseries A: Department and Laboratories; Aerospace Department- Long Island Campus, Farmingdale
Poly Archives; Ready Reference Collection; Mechanical Engineering-100 years
Poly Archives; Course Catalogs; Catalogues of the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, 1960-’61, 1961-’62
Secondary Sources:
Ali, Sattar Farhan. “The Future of Mechanical Engineering: Trends and Technologies in Machine and Equipment Development.” International Journal of Multiphysics, vol. 18, no. 4, 2024, pp. 313–327.
Sforza, Pasquale M. “A History of Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.” 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, 5–8 Jan. 2009, Orlando, FL. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
“What Impact Did the First World War Have on Aircraft and Aerial Warfare?” Imperial War Museums, https://www.iwm.org.uk/learning/resources/what-impact-did-the-first-world-war-have-on-aircraft-and-aerial-warfare. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.