History
Home »
1921
Electrical Engineering separates from the Department of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering; becomes Division of Electrical Engineering.
![EE-Lab-Circa-1920](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/EE-Lab-Circa-1920.jpg?resize=250%2C200&ssl=1)
1930-1939
Shannon develops mathematical principles of Information Theory (1939-1967)
1930
Evans Hall completed and dedicated
![1949-Evans-Hall-Exterior](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1949-Evans-Hall-Exterior.jpg?resize=292%2C200&ssl=1)
1946
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) is put into operation
1947
Transistor is invented at Bell Labs
1948
UD is desegragated
![EE-Students-working-on-generator-1940](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/EE-Students-working-on-generator-1940.jpg?resize=255%2C200&ssl=1)
1952
Electrical Engineering student Elbert Wisner, UD’s first African American student, graduates
![elbert-wisner-1952](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/elbert-wisner-1952.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1)
1958
First semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is demonstrated
![Punched_Card](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Punched_Card.jpeg?resize=454%2C200&ssl=1)
1960-1969
An experimental nuclear reactor, used for education and research, is housed in DuPont Hall
1969
ARPANET, the first digital global network, is launched
1969-1975
Public key cryptography is invented
1970-1979
UD becomes on of the first ARPANET nodes and helps develop CSNET, NSFNet, and NREN
UD introduces PDP 11 mainframe computers to campus
![1280px-HP_35_Calculator](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1280px-HP_35_Calculator.jpg?resize=178%2C200&ssl=1)
1972
HP-35, first handheld scientific calculator, is developed
![500px-Compact_disc](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/500px-Compact_disc.png?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1)
1979
First CD audio player is demonstrated
1980-1989
UD establishes first global “post office” for academic mail
![Dos](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Dos.jpg?resize=195%2C99&ssl=1)
1981
IBM introduces its first personal computer, uses MS-DOS
1984
EE Chair Peter Warter and UD Officials rededicate Evans Hall after $2M renovation
![1984-rededication](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1984-rededication.jpg?resize=142%2C200&ssl=1)
![Macintosh](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Macintosh.png?resize=319%2C200&ssl=1)
1984
Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh computer
1993
World Wide Web browser Mosaic is released
1996-1997
Computer engineering degree is established and the department name is changed to Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE)
1997
UD develops concept of vehicle-to-grid technology
![CEOE-V2G_Power_Plant](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CEOE-V2G_Power_Plant-021.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1)
2000-present
UD research launches multiple high-tech start ups, including FingerWorks, ETI, EM Photonics, Nuvve, and Cloudamize
UD establishes Cybersecurity Initiative & Cybersecurity Minor and MS degrees
Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program begins
2007
Apple acquires UD startup FingerWorks
![Elias-Computer](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Elias-Computer.jpg?resize=134%2C200&ssl=1)
2017
Innovation Suite (iSuite) Laboratory is opened
![ECE_iSuite](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ECE_iSuite.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1)
2022
Expected completion of the six-story FinTech Innovation Hub on the University of Delaware’s Science Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus.
![fintech-building](https://i0.wp.com/www.ece.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/fintech-building.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1)