Conditions in the early 1950s were uniquely favorable for the development of metallurgy and solid-state science and technology generally. Academic departments of metallurgy benefitted from these conditions. At MIT, the size of the Departmental faculty increased, the educational program expanded, funding was available, and new facilities were acquired. The undergraduate and graduate programs prospered. Research of high quality was being performed and published. The Department indeed flourished during the 1950s. |