In 1886, the Case catalog announced the introduction of a new course of study known as "Chemical Technology", marking the first appearance of Chemical Engineering at Case. The first Chemical Engineering degree was awarded in 1909, although the curriculum did not officially adopt the name Chemical Engineering until 1914.
The Case Chemical Engineering program was among the earliest in the United States, with similar developments occurring at Tulane, University of Illinois, M.I.T., and the University of Michigan during the 1880s and 1890s. It was not until 1922 that the American Institute of Chemical Engineering (A.I.Ch.E.) could reach a consensus on the definition of Chemical Engineering. When the A.I.Ch.E. introduced accreditation in 1925, the Case program was one of only fourteen to receive approval.
The establishment of Chemical Engineering at Case can be attributed to Professors Charles Mabery and Albert W. Smith. Smith, who served as Department Head from 1911 to 1927, played a pivotal role in the early history of the Dow Chemical Company. Under his leadership, Chemical Engineering emerged as a distinct field of study. In the 1920s, Smith's two sons, Kent and Kelvin, studied chemical engineering at Case Western Reserve University. After graduating, they joined forces with their classmate Alex Nason to establish the Lubrizol Corporation.
For many years, the Department of Chemical Engineering was integrated with the Department of Chemistry. However, in 1962, the Chemical Engineering activities were separated from Chemistry and formed the Chemical Engineering Science Division within the School of Engineering. In 1972, the division became the Department of Chemical Engineering. In 2014, the department underwent a name change to the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering to better reflect the extensive scope of our research programs and academic offerings.
Chemical Engineering Students in Lab Circa 40s & 50s
Chemical Engineering Students in Coal Gasification Laboratory 1976
CWRU Chemical Laboratory Construction in 1930s
Chemical Engineering Class of 1997
