7 / 340
7
TUM Department of Mechanical Engineering
Since 1868 the TUM Department of
Mechanical Engineering has striven for
the highest quality developments in
engineering science. Our university was
founded, among others, refrigeration
pioneer Carl von Linde and renowned
mathematician and materials scientist
Johann Bauschinger. It would become the
base of Gustav Niemann, author of one
of the most significant standard works
on mechanical engineering, mechanic
August Föppl and thermodynamics expert
Wilhelm Nußelt. Former students include
Rudolf Diesel, who had the initial ideas for
what would become his paradigm-shifting
invention during one of Carl von Linde’s
lectures, and the aircraft designers Claude
Dornier and Willy Messerschmitt.
The Department has also been closely
connected to the political and industrial
development of Bavaria. This saw the
establishment of militarily important fields
such as aircraft design and flight pro
pulsion.
Teaching and research activities practi-
cally ground to a halt after the Second
World War but were resumed in 1948,
primarily with newly appointed professors.
An enormous expansion took place in the
1950s and 1960s, especially in process
technology. Once the research ban on
aerospace and production technology was
lifted these areas likewise started thriving
again.
The Department of Mechanical Engineer-
ing is now one of the most successful
of its kind in the world and enjoys top
places in the largest international research
rankings. The basis of this success lies in
the publication of key scientific achieve-
ments comprising a balanced mix of both
state and industry promoted projects.
The Department benefits from a highly
innovative environment in a prestigious
university with one of the largest research
facilities in Europe as well as from strong
industry partners with their headquarters
or research facilities in Munich.
TUM Department of Mechanical Engineering