Riding the Crest: A History of Michigan’s Aerospace Engineering Department

Abstract

In 2014, the University of Michigan celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first formally organized academic program in aeronautical engineering in the world. Since 1914, the University has offered a degree program in a field that was to become one of the most important technological developments in the 20th century: the airplane, and later the space vehicle. Michigan’s aeronautical engineering program was the first of its kind. Moreover, throughout its history, it rode the crest of major advancements in aeronautical and space technology. Because of its relevance and importance to all members of the aerospace community today, we tell its story here.