Becoming MIT

A new book titled Becoming MIT: Moments of Decision paints an engaging portrait of the evolution of the Institute from William Barton Rogers's novel laboratory-based system of instruction to today's pioneering research.

Commissioned as part of MIT's 150th anniversary celebration in 2011, the book relates stories about turning points that helped define MIT, such as its transformation from an undergraduate engineering school into a research university in the early 20th century, the rapid expansion after World War II fueled by defense contracts, and the local uproar over the perceived riskiness of recombinant DNA research.

The chapter titled "Time of Troubles for the Special Laboratories" tells of student and faculty debates during the Vietnam War-era about MIT's role as the country's largest defense contractor. In 1969, 48 faculty pledged themselves as the Union of Concerned  Scientists to "critical and continuing examination of governmental policy in areas where science and technology are of actual or potential interest." This Union of Concerned Scientists, still based in Cambridge, became a powerful voice on matters spanning nuclear weapons and power, climate change, and alternative energy.

The "Mergers and Acquisitions" chapters describes Harvard's three attempts to incorporate MIT during the 1870-80s, efforts led by Charles W. Eliot, Harvard's longtime president who had previously taught at MIT. The Institute said no, no, no—even though Harvard offered to re-name the combined engineering school after Rogers.

Essay authors range from Professor of the History of Technology Merritt Roe Smith, who writes about MIT's foundation years, to Sloan Professor Lotte Bailyn, who delves into gender issues. Associate Professor and award-winning author David Kaiser edited the volume, which includes an epilogue by President Susan Hockfield. Alumni receive a 20 percent discount on Becoming MIT and all other MIT Press books.