About & Contacts

Mechanical Engineering at The University of Sheffield

"The first departments of engineering were introduced in Sheffield's Firth College. In the early 1880s Frederick Thorpe Mappin led a technical department within the college, known then as the Sheffield Technical School.

In 1889 Professor William Ripper became the first professor of Mechanical Engineering. During his time, students were required to learn the theory of the day as well as practical skills in fitting, turning and pattern making.

On Monday 28th November 1916, at a special meeting of the Applied Science Committee, it was decided, in the interests of the University, that the Faculty of Applied Science should be divided into two faculties; the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Metallurgy. A report from the meeting, by Sir William Clegg, stated that, "the two branches are of the highest importance to the city...and will add to the dignity and importance of the University."

On 21st June 1917, along with the Departments of Civil, Electrical and Chemical Engineering, the Department of Mechanical Engineering broke away from the Sheffield Technical School to form the Faculty of Engineering, with Professor Ripper leading the way as the Department of Mechanical Engineering's first Head of Department.

The Department opened with a mere six academic staff and 6 students: all men. Now, 100 years later, we have 180 members of staff including over 60 academics and over 1,100 students!

It has been a century of growth and constant change and the Department has shown itself to be adaptable to industrial needs as well as those of its students, particularly during the First and Second World Wars.

In 1988, to meet the needs of the Faculty, the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering were merged for a short period of eight years, to form the department of Mechanical and Process Engineering before demerging again in 1996."

From 100. Mechanical Engineering at The University of Sheffield. A Centenary Celebration. Kat Taylor 2017, p.6.