Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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O branch of science has had such a remarkable development in the last few years as that of electricity, and with no less rapidity has the Department of Electrical Engineering at Purdue grown in equipment and facility. From the school of applied mechanics and with the splendid general education received in the first two years of the course the student is able to take up the higher principles of Electrical Engineering, which apply directly, and fit him for any position in the field ot work with which he will be confronted when his course has been completed. There is no better proof of the thoroughness and competency of the work accom- plished in this department than is seen by noticing the long list of positions of importance and responsibility held bv the graduates from it. The laboratory provides an ample opportunity tor the study of the deepest experiments and developes the student along the most practical lines of work, while the study of the higher mathematics, physics, chem- istry, and the theory of direct and alternating current machinery, along with the design, construction and installation of electrical stations and apparatus, teaches him the reasons of the information which he has received. So great has this department grown in material equipment that extensions have been added and filled almost every year since it was established, and in recognition ot this remarkable growth, and in view of the splendid success of this department, the National 48

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next step will be an efficiency test of a simple engine. Then of a compound engine and finally of a triple expansion engine. Finally he is required to take charge of a locomotive test. Besides the work in steam engineering, many experiments in hydraulics and strength of materials are included. In all of this work a complete and accurate report must be submitted. The fact, that most of our graduates are holding responsible positions in manu- facturing and commercial enterprises, speaks well for the efficiency of this department, and if the past is a fair estimate of the future it can be safely relied on that Purdue will always remain where she is to-dav — in the front rank. 47

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Electric Light Association has recently established its testing laboratory at Purdue, thus gaining for this institution in the last two or three years another advantage over any technical school in the country. (The first consisted in the establishment of the National Railway Association ' s testing laboratory at this University.) Already a great many different types of alternating current enclosed arc lamps have been sent in and the report of some ot the tests will be read before the next assembly of the association, which meets in May, 1900. It is a noticeable fact that ninety per cent, of the graduates of the School of Electrical Engineering hold positions of responsibility, obtained for them through the thoroughness of their course, received at Purdue. Purdue is not only receiving national reputation, but its influence in advanced methods of electrical and other engineering sciences has received the notice of the English and European press, and it has been recognized as a typical institution for the advancement of technology. Whatever the future may have in store for the School of Electrical Engineering can only be estimated by a knowledge of the vast possibilities of electricity, which each vear presents many new and intricate problems, but, judging from its past history, we can say with great assurance that it will not be in the background. 49