1 They Came From Auburn: Engineering In the Nineteenth Century Arthur L. Slotkin, BAE ‘68 Auburn University, College of Engineering

2 Introduction and Acknowledgements Adapted from first four chapters of They Came from Auburn: Engineering in the New South. Faculty and College of “Engineering and Mines” established in 1908 –“School of Civil Engineering” in October 1869 –139 years of continuous engineering instruction. Thanks to –Dean Larry Benefield and Jim Killian of the College of Engineering, and –Dwayne Cox and the archivist at the Department of Special Collections and Archives.

3 Agenda Introduction: Prosperity, War and Poverty, 1856 to 1872 East Alabama Male College Morrill Act of 1862 A&M College of Alabama: –Isaac Taylor Tichenor and Robert A. Hardaway –Problems Persist in the 1870s –“Russian System” of Mechanic Arts instruction A&M College and Polytechnic Institute: –William LeRoy Broun –The Mechanic Arts –New Curricula Alabama Polytechnic Institute:

4 Prosperity, War and Poverty Founded in 1856 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South Called the “Auburn College” Opened in 1859 Granted first five degrees in July 1860 College Closed 1861 to 1866 Source: Auburn University Library East Alabama Male College Langdon Hall

5 East Alabama Male College: After the War Two degrees granted in 1867 Electives Introduced in 1869 and first Civil Engineering course offered in “School of CE” Financial conditions led to donation of the “Auburn College” to state for land grant college Relationship with the State University? “Old Main” Source: Auburn University Library

6 A&M College of Alabama: Morrill Act of 1862 Justin Morrill in the 37th Congress ( ) 30,000 acres for each senator & representative based on the 1860 census Alabama filed papers for federal land grant in 1869 Alabama established its first Land Grant College in Auburn in 1872 Congressman Justin Morrill of Vermont

7 Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama Isaac Taylor Tichenor ( ): –Baptist Minister & planter –Confederate chaplain & war hero at Shiloh Modeled after military academies and military training dominated student life –Curricula in agriculture, mechanics, science and liberal arts, including military tactics Isaac T. Tichenor Rev. Isaac T. Tichenor, DD Source: Auburn University Library

8 A&M College of Alabama Source: catalogues

9 A&M College of Alabama Lt. Col. Robert A. Hardaway, CSA –First Professor of Engineering –Emphasis on railroad engineering First engineering degree was “Civil Engineer” –Awarded to W. E. Horne in 1872 –Changed to BE in 1873 and CE became graduate degree –B. H. Johnson earned first BE degree in 1874 Lt. Col. Robert A. Hardaway Courtesy of Jane Hardaway Loflin and the Columbus Museum

10 A&M College of Alabama: “The Russian Plan” What is the Russian Plan? Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876 –Russian Plan exhibited –MIT adopted the plan –Hardaway dabbled Trustees rejected Chair in “Mechanical Philosophy” in 1878 Philadelphia Exhibition Moscow Imperial Technical Academy

11 A&M College of Alabama End of Tichenor Administration More than half of non-graduates became farmers Hardaway resigned in September 1881 –Dispute with Tichenor –Departed for Mexico to become division engineer Source: Catalogues

12 Tuscaloosa’s Engineering Building is named for Auburn’s First Professor of Engineering “Hardaway Hall is home to the aerospace engineering and mechanics and mechanical engineering departments of the College of Engineering…completed in 1936, is named for Professor Robert A. Hardaway.” Tuscaloosa Website 2008

13 A&M College and Polytechnic Institute: William LeRoy Broun Tichenor departed in 1882 Broun: scientist and educator became president in 1882 Lane, second professor of civil engineering Broun reorganized the curriculum Lane: “goddam new- fangled tex’ books…” Source of photos: Auburn University William LeRoy Broun Gen. James H. Lane, CSA

14 A&M College and Polytechnic Institute Broun introduced mechanic arts in 1884 –George H. Bryant, ME from MIT, first instructor –Introduced Russian Plan Woodworking shop in Langdon Hall basement in 1887 Fire in “Old Main” in 1887 Langdon Hall in 1898 Source: 1898 Glomorata

15 A&M College and Polytechnic Institute Mechanic Arts Lab 1888 –Bryant promoted to laboratory director –Wilmore became “1 st Assistant” –Electrical lights! Electrical Engineering –Morrill Act of 1890 –McKissick hired as adjunct professor of M&EE in 1892 –First degree to F. M. Mosley (M&EE) Bryant resigned in 1892 and Wilmore became laboratory director A.Foster McKissick, BSEE, AM Source: SC Business Hall of Fame

16 Shift to New Fields of Study AcademicCivilElectricalMechanicalTotal YearEngineering (100%)none ( 73%)13 (27%)none ( 15%)35 (49%)25 (35%)71 Source: Catalogues

17 Alabama Polytechnic Institute & Alabama Polytechnic Institute & State Agricultural & Mechanical College 1893 Engineering Faculty –J. J. Wilmore, professor of ME –A. F. McKissick, professor of EE –J. H. Lane, professor of CE Name change to API in 1898 but still called “Auburn” by most John J. Wilmore, ME Source: 1904 Glomorata

API Faculty, 1890s 18 Thach Lane Smith Broun Mell Wilmore Petrie McKissick Ross

19 Conclusions Engineering in the Nineteenth Century Engineering represented about half of total enrollment during most of the 19 th century. Auburn engineers contributed to the development of the New South, but not always as engineers. With growth, came reorganization into three Colleges in September CE taught continuously since 1869, (M&EE continuously since 1892 ).

20 Any Questions?