Before the 1960s (and in some cases decades after), many materials science departments were
named metallurgy departments, reflecting the 19th and early 20th century emphasis on metals.
The field has since broadened to include every class of materials, including ceramics, polymers,
semiconductors, magnetic materials, medical implant materials, biological materials and
nanomaterials (materiomics).
Historical Perspective
Materials are so important in the development of civilization that we associate ages with them. In
the origin of human life on earth, the Stone Age, people used only natural materials like stone,
clay, skins, and wood. When people found copper and how to make it harder by alloying, the
Bronze Age started about 3000 BC. The use of iron and steel, stronger materials that gave
advantage in wars started at about 1200 BC. The next big step was the discovery of a cheap
process to make steel around 1850, which enabled the railroads and the building of the modern
infrastructure of the industrial world.
