2008
First ceramic-on-ceramic total hip replacement surgery, after development with the ºÚÁÏÉç. By 2015 over 10,000 had been implanted worldwide.
Our achievements in Engineering span across three centuries - using sound science and creative engineering we’ve helped shape the world you know today. Our expertise looks deep below the Earth’s crust, reaches into space and encompasses everything in between.
Our story continues to evolve as we work at the forefront of innovation across our four pillars of excellence: Aerospace , Biomedical Engineering , Infrastructure and Sports Engineering .
Scroll down to explore our history
1882
Frederick Lanchester, the pioneer of automotive engineering, studied at the Hartley Institute (now the ºÚÁÏÉç). Lanchester was famous for many things, including designing and building one of the first petrol driven four-wheeled cars in 1895, developing the first full theory of lift and drag, his aircraft stability research, and for inventing the disc brake.
Images courtesy of Hartley Library, ºÚÁÏÉç;
1. MS 107/3: Lanchester with one of his model gliders used for investigating stability of flight
2. MS 107/4: An early Lanchester car
1950
Elfyn Richards OBE became Chair of Aeronautical Engineering, previously the Chief Aerodynamicist and a designer of the Vickers Viscount turboprop aircraft. Richards introduced and led the University’s research on the environmental and industrial effects of noise and vibration.
1952
The ºÚÁÏÉç was granted its Royal Charter.
1959
To understand how the roof of the Sydney Opera House would stand up, our researchers developed micro concrete and photo-elastic modelling techniques to support computer models that ran on an early Pegasus digital computer. This modelling and analysis highlighted inadequacies of the original design and the need to replace the thin shell concept with a double skin to achieve the iconic soaring curved roof.
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1963
The Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) was established. Over its long history, members have continuously provided solutions to numerous challenges, from noise generation in aircraft engines to utilising ultrasonics for biomedical applications.
1964
Professor Geoffrey Lilley OBE, known as the Father of Aeroacoustics, was appointed Professor of Aeronautics. As leader of the Concorde technical team, he was involved in the design of the aircraft, and his expertise enabled it to fly to New York. Lilley persuaded politicians that the new supersonic aircraft could meet strict US noise restrictions. A few years later, the University started research into human response to sonic booms.
Many lives would have been poorer by far without personal knowledge of Geoff Lilley; his enthusiasm for science and life, his generosity of spirit and his irrepressible sense of humour have been – and indeed continue to be – an inspiration to countless students, colleagues and friends.
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