2010 marks the 100th Anniversary of Purdue's formal connection with Aerospace

The School of Aeronautics and Astronautics was established on the Purdue campus as a separate academic unit on July 1, 1945, but aeronautical engineering activities can be dated back to 1910 when Professor Cicero Bailey Veal from the School of Mechanical Engineering started the Purdue Aero Club.

Professor Veal graduated with a BSME in 1902 and was on the faculty of Mechanical Engineering from 1905-1917. In addition to starting the Purdue aero club, Professor Veal also gave talks to members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) at Purdue in 1911 – ‘Aviation Problems of the Past, Present and Future’, in 1912 – ‘Aerial Engineering’, and in 1913 – ‘Aeroplanes’.

The first aircraft demonstration was held on June 13, 1911 and was sponsored by the Purdue Alumni Association and the Lafayette Journal newspaper. As part of Gala Week celebrations, Lincoln Beachey and C.C. Witmar flew biplanes for “Aviation Day” held at Stuart Field, which was Purdue’s current athletic field. Purdue President, Winthrop E. Stone and George Ade were scheduled to ride as passengers but were unable to do so due to gusty winds. The day attracted an estimated 17,000 people.

More information about the history of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics can be found at the AAE History webpage.

1910 Purdue Debris Engineering Title Page

• Symbol of 1910 Purdue High Tech Engineering

• A year before the 1st aircraft came to Lafayette, IN in 1911