Academics, 1900-1929
Case attracted bold scientists and engineers like Professor Harry Fielding Reid who traveled to Alaska in 1890 to explore and map Glacier Bay, or like Professor Dayton C. Miller from the Physics department who in 1895 took first full-length x ray photographs of the human body.
By 1906, CSAS graduated a total of 530 students from which 178 were mechnanical engineers. The end of the WW I - Undergraduate enrollment decreases
1918
On October 1, 1918 US Army took authority over the CSAS students and established the Student Army Training Corps. A Department of Military Science and Tactics was established and all students tool Military Drills and Engineering for 5 hours per week. The undergraduate curriculum was organized as eight terms of 12 weeks each and organized into five engineering departments: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Metallurgical, and Chemical.
In the spring of 1919, the Reserve Officers' Corps was organized as an Infantry Unit for the academic year. Classes returned to the way they were before the war in 1921.
Prof. Theodore M. Focke '92 became Case's first dean.
1924 started a study of a merger with Western Reserve. In 1926, a joint statement from the two institutions reported that such a merger would be impossible.
As to Case's own objectives, Prof. Fred H. Vose, head of Mechanical Engineering, wrote a one-man opinion that the chief aim of engineering education should be to train students so that they could think clearly, plan and contrive, visualize and conceive. "A brain crowded with facts, but not trained to apply them with understanding and discretion, is a dangerous thing to have at large." He believed in breadth, to include English, history, economics, and business. His disapproval of too much specialization in a four-year course was backed by his citation of Case graduates who held high places in automotive, marine and power engineering, among others, despite their lack of specialized training in those fields. At that time more than 2,500 graduates were as widely dispersed vocationally as they were geographically.
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
In 1904, chemical engineering appeared as an emphasis and the department changed its name to Department of Chemistry including Engineering Chemistry. In 1907, the department change its name again to become Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. However, the granting of separate degree did not start until 1926.In 1911, there were thirty-two sophomores, juniors and seniors declared as chemistry majors and by 1915, the number of undergraduate chemistry majors increased to forty-nine.
. 1909 First degree in Chemical Engin
1915 First BS in Chem Eng
1922
First MS in Chem Eng
Physics Department
Dr. Charles Howe, the second president of Case, approaches John D. Rockefeller for funds for a new Physics Building and a Mining and Metallurgy Building. The money is appropriated and construction of the new Physics Building begins. The Rockefeller Physics laboratory is constructed by the Austin Company and completed and occupied in 1906. In 1910, the first B.S. in Physics was awarded to E.G. Clark.In 1916, the United States Weather Bureau installed a weather station with a complete set of meteorological instrumentshe on the roof of the Physics laboratory with a complete outfit of meteorological instruments. Dr. W.H. Alexander, official in charge of the Cleveland U.S. Weather Bureau station, gave lectures to students.
In 1920, the new Warner and Swasey Observatory was opened. The observatory was located on a hill at Brunswick Circle, East Cleveland. The dedication of the Warner and Swasey Observatory meant the closing of the small observatory located on campus, also nicknamed the "tin can observatory", which functioned between 1897-1920.
By 1922, John R. Martin was teaching a course in Theory of Radio Communication and by 1925, the Physics department installed a radio receiving station with the most up-to-date equipment available at that time.
1922
Dr. Christian Nusbaum offers X-Ray and Crystal Structures courses (Physics)
1917
Dr. Dayton Miller (Physics) aiding US Government in WWI research on sound and shell shock
Department of Mathematics and Astronomy
In 1902, Prof. Howe became the second president of Case School of Applied Science and many of his Math Department duties were turned over to Dr. Focke, who became the fourth Kerr Professor and remained so until 1944.By 1918 there were eight faculty and instructors in mathematics and astronomy.
Civil Engineering Department
After Staley resignation in 1902, Prof. Neff becomes head of the departments and continues as head until 1931.In 1904, the department offered course in railroad engineering, along with highway engineering, roads and bridges and details of construction. The catalogue of 1904-05 says that the large grounds of the college campus, of Wade Park, and of Rockefeller Boulevard, both of the latter adjoining the campus, constitute a field admirably adapted to the work of teaching surveying as far as convenience is concerned, while the natural features of the ground furnish in great variety the open field for chain surveying - the hill, valley and brook for topographical surveying and long arched culverts for mining surveying."
In 1907, the Department of Civil Engineering occupies twelve rooms in the Main building. Besides recitation rooms, there are drafting rooms, library and reading rooms, cement and concrete laboratories, and offices. The library contains 1000 volumes, 2200 indexed pamphlets and 7000 prints and photographs. The instrument room contains a precise level of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Model, a 100-foot standard bar for comparison of tapes, 20 complete engineer's transits, 12 engineer's shovels, chains, level and sight rods of all types, and many cases of structural models and materials.''
In 1907, the department established the first off-campus Surveying Camp known as Case Camp. The location of the Camp moved every other year or so, until 1918 when it moved to Waynersburg and remained there until 1938.
The first M.S. in civil engineering was awareded to S.B. Folk in 1923.
By 1929, the importance of railroad engineering reduced and more emphasis was given to the highway engineering and the mechanics of structures.
Metallurgical and Mining Engineering
First degsignated B.S. in mining in 19031903 Department of Geology and Mineralogy becomes a seperate department with Dr. Frank Van Horn as head,
1904
Dr. Charles D. Howe, president of Case, approaches Mr. John D. Rockefeller Sr. and recieves a large gift to build the Rockefeller Physics
In 1905, the department moved to its own building, the Rockefeller Laboratory for Mining and Metallurgy,
In 1907 Mining & Metallurgical Engineering; in 1908, Curriculum splits mining engineering and metallurgical engineering into seperate programs (Engineer of Mines and Metallurgical Engineer)
1910 First B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering awarded
1911 Courses in Mining and Metallurgy offered were: Topographical mapping, mining and metallurgy machinery, drawing and mine surveying, metallurgy and electric smelting, metal refining and gas analysis for engineers, ore treatment, mining law, mining engineering, metallography, metallurgical analysis, ore and rock analysis, and ore mill and metallurgical plant design. Dr. Charles Fulton (Mining and Metallurgy) joins the department and becomes department head
1912 First degrees of Metallurgical Engineer (M.E.) are awarded to R.R. Abbott and M.A. Ammon
1918 The library of the Mining and Metallurgy Department contains 1130 bound volumes, 1170 pamphlets, and 34 periodicals. By 1927 "Metallurgy library reorganized and enlarged (1857 bound volumes, 1600 pamphlets and 17 periodicals)"
1921 Metallurgical and Mining Engineering;
Last designated M.S. degrees in metallurgy were granted
Department of Geology and Mineralogy
1903 Department of Geology and Mineralogy becomes a seperate department with Dr. Frank Van Horn as head,
Mechanical Engineering Department
There were several staff turnovers around 1900. Prof. Benjamin became supervising engineer of the city of Cleveland in 1900 but continued on the staff. Dr. Fernald resigned in 1901. and Mr. Mills and Mr. Wood joined the faculty in 1902. The growing demand for trained engineers to fulfill industrial needs necessitated course expansion and additions to the staff.In 1903, the department opened a 10,000 square foot power plant laboratory with enough capacity to heat multiple buildings was added. The lab was equipped with an air compressor, the Westighouse gas engine, the De Laval steam turbine, new condenser, the boiler room was equiped with 125 horsepower Babcock & Wilcox boiler, new feed pump, and heater. The drawing lab on the 2nd floor moved and was replaced by the pattern making space, while the main floor was devoted to machine work exclusive.
The Mechanical Enginerin laboratory building was shared by Mechanical Engineering and Mining Engineering Departments until 1905, and then it was used by the Mechanical Enginerring Department only until 1927.
In 1905, the department installed a new engine for lighting and power and in 1906, the department accepted a donation from the Artic Ice Machine Company of a five ton refrigerating plant, in addition of several automobile engines and the automobile testing floor. Gifts from local firms in the way of equipment helped immeasurably in the expansion program. Cleveland was fast becoming a center of the machine tool field and the need for professionally trained men increased rapidly. The demand was greater than the supply, and industry became aware, even at that early date, of the need for cooperation. Both curricula and staff grew at a rapid pace.
In 1907, after Prof. Benjamin resignation, Dr. Fernald became head of the department.
In 1908 the buildings of the department consisted of the Mechanical Laboratory, the Power Laboratory and a boiler house. The boiler house, approximately 42 x 90 feet and the power laboratory with a floor space of 10,000 square feet, contained the principal apparatus and equipment of the engine laboratory; the oil testing machines and dynamometers were set up in the shop adjoining the laboratory proper. The shop was equipped with the latest machinery of the time. New additions of a Lucas horizontal boring machine, Brown & Sharpe Universal Milling machine, Brown & Sharpe Universal grinder, Pratt and Whitney tool room lathe, Potter and Johnson shaper and an Allen drill were done in 1909, In 1918 a Wagenhorst Electric Blue Printer was added to the equipment of the drafting room.
Dr. Fernald resigned in 1912 and Professor F.H. Vose became Acting Head in 1912-13 and Head of the Department in 1913-14. The
staff numbered seven. From 1912 - 1917 there were no marked changes in staff or curricula.
After the war, the growth of the Department of Mechanical Engineering was rapid. In 1920 the courses included: Pattern Making and Foundry Practice; Machine Shop Practice; Machine Detail Drawing, Thermodynamics of Gases and Vapors; Heat Engines; Machine Design; Power Plant Engineering; Heating, Ventilation and Refrigeration; Heat Power Engineering, and Engineering Contracts and Specifications. Courses were taught by six teaching staff
In 1920 there were six men in the teaching staff of the department but the increased enrollment in the department required larger and more modern spaces available. In 1925, Mr. Charles W. Bingham, a trustee, offered President Howe $500,000 toward the erection of a new laboratory for Mechanical Engineering. As there was a concentrated drive among the Case alumni, Mr. Bingham's son gave another $500,000 to endow and maintain the new building.
The Charles W. Bingham Mechanical Engineering Building became a reality in 1927, and the Old Mechanical Engineering Building quickly vanished from the campus after serving fairly well for thirty-five years. In addition to offices, lecture rooms, drawing rooms, library, etc. the Power Plant, Machine Shop, Foundry and Heat Treating Laboratory were spacious, and equipped with up-to-the minute equipment in addition to allowing for expansion. The students had available what they had previously had to observe at the various industrial plants on their plant visits. The new space and equipment also allowed for curricula expansion.
Electrical Engineering Department
In 1901, courses of the department included Applied Electricity, Electro-Chemistry and Metallurrgy, Electrical Laboratory ( 2 afternoons a week for juniors), Applied Electricity, Analytical and Graphic Treatment of the Theory of Alternating Currrents, Dynamo and Motor Design, The Operation, Construction and Installation of Alternating Current Machinery, and Power Distribution and Electric Railways.Courses expanded to meet the demands of the time.
1903 Inspection trips to various electrical industries of Cleveland and neighboring citiesstarted and continued for many years. Inspection trip reports were required
1908 Electrical Engineering Club formed by Junior and Senior Students, meetings were held once each week. Most of Electrical Students were affiliated with the Armerican Institute of Electrical Engineering, Cleveland Section. Papers and Lectures were given to the group by outstanding E.E Engingers.
1915
Electrical Engineering: "Staff was raised to five men including two professors and three instructors. By 1916 the seniors in Electrical Engineering were taking a semester's study of Science and the Art of Illumination., largely given by lecturers from the General Electric Company., the Welsbach Company and; other experts.
1921
Equipment increased and includes a,omg others a small automatic telephone exchange, a wireless receiving set and other apparatus for wireless telegraphy and telephony. Departmental library expanded to include several hundred volumes on electrical engineering subjects. There were many periodicals, bound for reference"
1925
"first MS. to T .D. Owens. and 2nd M.S to John Martin in 1926
the inspection trips took the juniors to Fort Wyne, Indiana, Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1927 the inspection trips took the juniors to Ningara Falls, the General. Electric Company at Schnectady and Pittsfield, Massachusetts and to New York City and Washington D.C .. "