 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
![[image of flower]](../ima/flowXS_04.gif)
Technical Education |
|
Engineering, scientific and other technical education in early America was mostly informal; that is, experience gained from work on the job, sometimes by an apprenticeship under a master workman. Formal education was limited. Colleges provided mostly religious and liberal arts instruction with some mathematics. Medical schools did not exist in America, physicians having to learn in Europe or under a local physician. However, as science, technologies, business and medicine became more complex, the value of formal technical and scientific training increased, while learning by experience became longer and more expensive, so it gradually was transferred to vocational and medical schools, colleges, universities, and experimental stations. Secondary schools in early America, where available, provided "reading, writing, and 'rithmetic" and a few other subjects. Some time after secondary schooling became mandatory in some states, mathematics, science, and other technical subjects were gradually introduced into the curricula. In 1689, the first public school in America with science and inventions subjects was the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia. Tuition was charged only to those students who could afford it. Carruth 35 This experiment was not followed by a general introduction of science into secondary schools. In 1727, the first chair in mathematics and natural philosophy (science) was endowed at Harvard University. Carruth 57 In 1746, the first lectures on electricity and magnetism were given by John Wintrhop IV at Harvard U. Carruth 65 In 1769, Dr. Benjamin Rush became the first professor of chemistry in America at the College of Philadelphia, later called the University of Pennsylvania. Carruth 97 In 1782, the first U.S. medical school was opened at Harvard University. Carruth 97In 1792, Dr. Benjamin Rush helped establish a medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. Carruth 97 |
 |
|
|
|