The Ohio Mechanics' Institute (OMI) was established 1828 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the first institution of its kind west of the Appalachian Mountains, and was dedicated to educating artisans and mechanics. The founding members of OMI were also interested in educating the general public and held free, evening lectures and opened their technical library for use by the public. The institute also sponsored annual public exhibitions between 1838 and 1860 for the display of manufactured materials. Exhibitions began again after the Civil War, and in 1870, OMI sponsored the first in a series of 14 Grand Expositions of Manufacturers.
OMI continued to grow throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1911, the institute moved into a new building which was constructed with a gift from Mary Emery. In 1914, OMI opened its Industrial Museum which displayed both international artifacts and industrial products. In 1934, the Industrial Engineering program at the college began OMI's first cooperative education program.
Changes for OMI came throughout the mid and late 20th century. In 1958, OMI was reorganized and split into a day school and a night school. The day school was called the Ohio College of Applied Science, while the night school was renamed as the Ohio Mechanics Institute Evening College. In 1969, OMI became part of the University of Cincinnati and in 1978, the college was renamed the OMI College of Applied Science.
For more information on the history of the Ohio Mechanics Institute and the University of Cincinnati College of Applied Science, see the online exhibit for the OMI CAS 175th Anniversary at http://www.omicas175.uc.edu/
From the guide to the University of Cincinnati, Ohio College of Applied Science records, 1818-1971, 1818-1971, (University of Cincinnati, Archives and Rare Books Library)
