When you think of Stevens, you think of innovation, projects, and the fact that it’s so close to New York City (NYC).
Inspired by Humanity, Powered by Technology, has been Stevens’ slogan since 2022, and it fits the university’s history surprisingly well. Stevens has always had an active role when it comes to innovation, not only through the inventions already created by students and alumni, but also by using the idea that technology should be used to solve real problems. Seeing how Stevens itself was established by New Jersey’s “first family of inventors,” it really makes sense that innovation would be such an important part of the university’s identity.
In fact, the Stevens family was experimenting with new technology long before the university existed. John Stevens developed The Little Juliana, an early steamboat powered by a twin-screw engine (the first ever, to be exact). Years later in 1825, he designed an American-built steam locomotive. During a time when transportation relied heavily on waterways and horse-drawn carriages, Stevens was picturing a future with more advanced technology.
That same spirit of innovation continued when Stevens Institute of Technology was established in 1870. As the first university in the United States dedicated to Mechanical Engineering, Stevens created an environment where students could turn curiosity and technical knowledge into real-life applications.
Some of those solutions became so influential that they are still used today. Henry Gantt, a member of the Stevens Class of 1884, developed the first version of the Gantt chart around 1903. While it may not seem as groundbreaking as a locomotive or a scientific discovery, its impact was significant. The chart became a project management tool that helped workers visualize better and manage complex projects. What began as an engineering tool became a lasting influence on the way people approach project management.
Stevens’ influence has also extended beyond traditional engineering. Alexander Calder studied Mechanical Engineering at Stevens before becoming one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His engineering background influenced his understanding of movement and balance, eventually contributing to his development of the “mobile” in 1931. Calder’s work demonstrates that innovation does not have to be limited to laboratories or engineering projects. Concepts such as mechanics, balance, and motion can also inspire different innovation projects.
Then there is an invention that many people encounter every day: bubble wrap. Stevens alumnus Alfred W. Fielding, Class of 1940, co-invented bubble wrap in 1957. The material was originally developed as an attempt to create a textured type of wallpaper, but that did not succeed as intended. Its story is a reminder that innovation does not always have a clear path that it follows. Sometimes an unsuccessful idea can lead to an unexpected and useful discovery.
Perhaps the most remarkable scientific story in Stevens’ history is the search for the neutrino.
Frederick Reines, Class of 1939, spent decades working to detect a particle that is extraordinarily difficult to observe. Neutrinos interact with matter so weakly that enormous numbers of them can pass through objects without being detected.
In 1956, Reines and his collaborator Clyde Cowan successfully detected neutrinos, providing scientists with an important way to study fundamental particles and nuclear reactions. Reines’ work would eventually earn him the 1995 Nobel Prize in Physics. This discovery was remarkable because of the persistence behind it. It was a culmination of years of research.
The same spirit of persistence can still be seen at Stevens today. The university continues to expand its research in areas such as artificial intelligence and technology, especially with the highlight of the new School of Computing. Students also have opportunities to develop and present their own ideas through the Innovation Expo, which began as Engineering Design Day in 1997. Rather than simply studying innovation, students are given the opportunity to experience the process firsthand by designing, testing, and presenting their own projects.
Stevens’ history is more than just a collection of inventions arranged on a timeline. It is a history of people asking questions, exploring possibilities, and finding solutions to problems no one would’ve even considered. More than 150 years after Stevens was founded, that process continues, with current students carrying the university’s tradition of innovation into the future.
