Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Historical State Timelines
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering

1910s

1918 Early agricultural equipment courses

Service courses in farm equipment were taught by in the Department of Agronomy, but not by an engineering. True agricultural engineering courses were first taught in the 1920-1921 academic year.

1920s

1920-1921 First agricultural engineering courses

The agricultural engineering instructional program commenced in the 1920-1921 academic year. R. E. Bosque and H. D. Lewis were the earliest instructors, and they were part of the agronomy faculty.

1930s

1937 Agricultural Engineering degrees first offered

1940s

1948 Department of Agricultural Engineering relocates

The Department of Agricultural Engineering moves to David Clark Labs.

David Clark LabsDavid Clark Labs
1948 Masters degrees first offered in Agricultural Engineering

1950s

1957 Department of Agricultural Engineering moves

The Department of Agricultural Engineering moves to Weaver Labs.

Weaver LaboratoriesWeaver Laboratories
1957 Doctoral degrees first offered in Agricultural Engineering
1958 Tobacco bulk curing unit

A tobacco bulk curing unit is developed by the Department of Agricultural Engineering.

Tobacco fieldTobacco field

1960s

8/1967 New tobacco harvesting equipment

William E. Splinter, on the faculty of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, with tobacco harvesting equipment that he helped develop. Throughout the history of North Carolina State University, research and development conducted by its faculty and students have assisted North Carolina farmers.

Dr. William E. Splinter in field with tobacco harvesterDr. William E. Splinter in field with tobacco harvester

1970s

1979 Departmental History Published

G. W. Giles wrote A Department Grows to Maturity: The History of Agricultural Engineering at N.C. State University 1914 to 1977. An updated version of this history exists today on the department's website.