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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The History of MIT

Massachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWare

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Overview

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This course examines the history of MIT through the lens of the broader history of science and technology, and vice versa. The course covers the founding of MIT in 1861 and goes through the present, including such topics as William Barton Rogers, educational philosophy, biographies of MIT students and professors, intellectual and organizational development, the role of science, changing laboratories and practices, and MIT's relationship with Boston, the federal government, and industry. Assignments include short papers, presentations, and final paper. A number of classes are concurrent with the MIT150 Symposia.

Syllabus

1. Introduction, Course Overview, What is Technology?.
2. America in 1850: The Age of Transformation.
3. William Barton Rogers & The Foundational Years, 1861-1896.
4. Harvard, MIT, and Building a New Campus.
5. MIT and the corporate world in the age of big business, 1890-1930.
6. World War I, the 1920s, and the 1930s.
8. World War II and the Aftermath.
9. World War II and the Aftermath.
10. Aerospace and Computing in the 1960s, Lab Life in the 1970s, The Past Three Decades.

Taught by

Prof. David Mindell and Prof. Merritt Roe Smith

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Reviews

4.0 rating, based on 1 Class Central review

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  • Mahmudur Rahman Ador
    I really enjoyed this course on the history of MIT. It provides fascinating insights into how MIT evolved as a world-leading institution, highlighting its role in science, technology, and innovation. The lectures are engaging and well-structured, and the resources are accessible for all learners. This course not only explores the past but also shows how MIT’s history shaped modern research and education. A great choice for anyone interested in higher education, history of science, or MIT itself.
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