History Of Packard Laboratory

In the 1920’s, Lehigh University needed better facilities for students in the College of Engineering—specifically the mechanical and electrical engineering departments—to study, perform research, and learn through hands-on experience. This issue was brought to light by the University’s president at the time, Charles Russ Richards. A building that would meet these needs would be expensive, as Lehigh maintained a reputation of providing a top-notch experience to their students. In order to find funding for this potentially massive project, the school looked into its pool of contacts and found one accomplished engineering alumnus willing to make such a substantial donation. This alumnus was James Ward Packard (Class of 1884), who had been recently diagnosed with a terminal illness. Packard decided that before he passed away he wanted to give back to the University from which he had received his degree. Due to a lifetime of success in mechanical and electrical engineering, Packard was able to make a donation of 1.2 million dollars to Lehigh University. This was the largest donation Lehigh had received to date and with this money Lehigh set out to build Packard Laboratory. The planning of Packard Laboratory started in January of 1927. A site was chosen along Packer Avenue. The consulting firm of Visscher and Burnley, headed by two Lehigh alumni, was hired to design the laboratory. Packard had expressed his desire to have a building that combined “functional utility and artistic beauty.” To help accomplish this goal and aid in the design process, Lehigh also hired one of the architects who had worked for Bethlehem Steel, Andrew Litzenburg. Construction began on Packard Laboratory in the spring of 1928 and was carried out by over 200 men from the Irwin-Leighton Company. The laboratory was scheduled to be completed by May 1929, but heavy rains during the summer had created many challenges during the construction process. Despite the weather, the steel frame was finished, the exterior stonewall was constructed up to the third floor, and the lab floors were poured. The stonework and roof were finished before any snowfall so as not to delay the construction of the building. Finally, on June 15, 1929, the lab was functionally complete with the exception of some finishing touches. A year later in 1930, two years after Packard’s death in 1928, the laboratory was dedicated to James Ward Packard. The extravagant dedication ceremony took place over three days (October 15-17, 1930). It involved lectures given by important guests, luncheons, dinners, and the presentation of keys. Packard Laboratory was originally home to the departments of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Packard made it known that the building should contain first class labs and equipment in which the University could carry out extensive research and development. When initially built, the mechanical engineering labs contained multiple steam machines, an internal combustion lab, heating and ventilation machines, instruments to analyze fluid flow, and lathes and mill machines used in shaping wood and metals. The electrical engineering labs contained alternating and direct current apparatuses, a high voltage lab, and a wide array of circuit components. Over the years all of the labs in Packard Laboratory have kept up to date with the most advanced technology and machines. The most recent improvements include upgrades in computing power and some technologies that did not exist, such as injection molding and aerospace related devices. Three major renovations have transformed Packard Laboratory. The first was in 1971. This included refurbishing room 101, the largest room in the building containing a lecture hall with a seating capacity of up to six hundred. During this renovation a computing center was also added to the first floor and offices were created to accommodate the new Department of Industrial Engineering. Next was a renovation in 1981, its purpose being a general improvement of the entire building. This renovation added a thermodynamics lab, refurbished offices and classrooms, and installed interior window walls to the labs. In 2014, Packard Laboratory underwent a renovation to its lobby to provide a more welcoming atmosphere for students and visitors. A generous donation by James Packard allowed Lehigh to build a Laboratory that today serves as one of the campus’ centerpieces. Since 1929, this building has given engineering students the opportunity to learn in one of the best environments in the country and continuing renovations have ensured that it will continue to do so.