WPI was founded in 1865, known then as the Worcester Country Free Institute of Industrial Science. Then, as the name suggests, the school was free to the boys of Worcester County and only 60 dollars to those from outside Worcester County, considerably less than tuition is now. The Institute was founded by 9 gentlemen. They were businessmen, scholars, politicians and clergymen, and each brought his own ideas and skills. At the center of the WPI curriculum is the Two Towers Tradition of Theory and Practice. Students spend equal amounts of time in the classroom and the lab, a compromise between the ideas of two Founders, John Boynton and Ichabod Washburn. These men are the founders after whom the first two buildings built on campus were named. Atop Boynton Hall and Washburn Shops can be found the two towers after which the Two Towers Tradition is named.

Campus Resources

There are many sources for information on WPI History and Tradition. The first place to check is the WPI Archives maintained by Rodney G. Obien. Archives is located on the top level of the Gordon Library. Many interesting facts can be found in the online archives as well.

Other Bits of History

The Tech Bible

When the Tech Bible was first published in 1897, it served as a student handbook for freshmen. Along with WPI history and rules for the freshmen, it offered details about life on campus and in the Worcester community. Read the latest version (online).

WPI Alma Mater

(download mp3, 729KB)
I.
Dear Worcester Tech, Our Worcester Tech;
Our praises ring to thee,
To Alma Mater, good and true,
We pledge our loyalty.
Long have we felt thy guiding hand,
Thy teachings broad and free;
With praises loud in every land
We'll show our love for thee;
(Chorus)
Then here's to good old Worcester Tech
Come, fellow, join in our refrain,
Wave high the colors, Crimson and Gray,
For good old Worcester Tech.
II.
As years roll on and changes bring
To all things great and small,
We still will thee with rev'rence hold,
We'll greet thee, one and all,
In accents which no one may doubt,
In terms so strong and bold,
The world will know thy worth to us
Increases many fold.

WPI Fight Song

E to the x
D-Y, D-X
E to the x
D-X.
Cosine, Secant, Tangent, Sine
3.14159
E-I, Radical, Pi
Fight 'em, Fight 'em, WPI!