The School of Mechanical Engineering was founded in 1882, the first of Purdue's schools of engineering. In its infancy Mechanical Engineering shared space in University Hall, the Mechanics Building, and the Engine and Gas House, power plant number one. The Engineering Laboratory, dedicated on January 19, 1894, was the first Mechanical Engineering Building.

Mechanical engineering is the broadest of all the engineering disciplines and provides the widest range of career opportunities. Graduates of the School of Mechanical Engineering have gone on to become CEOs, entrepreneurs, chief engineers, business analysts, astronauts, faculty, physicians, dentists, patent lawyers and public policy leaders.