Edwin J. Freeman, a Clemson Mechanical Engineering graduate and faculty member since 1922, was appointed the first Department Head of Industrial Engineering following his earning a master's degree in industrial engineering at Virginia Tech in 1942. He held this position until 1958; in addition to his talents in education, he directed the band and glee club, and is credited with the surveying and design of the Boscobel Country Club near Clemson. The Department, like others of that period, had a well-equipped machine shop and foundry in what is now Freeman Hall.

Professor Freeman was succeeded by J. H. Couch. The Department in the 1960's retained its manufacturing orientation, and also contained components of what are now programs in Engineering Graphics and Industrial Education. In the late 1960's, the baccalaureate degree in industrial engineering was discontinued, with the faculty joining other departments. At about this time the graduate program in Systems Engineering was initiated within the Department of Electrical Engineering, and a Department of Engineering Technology was started, with an option in industrial technology.

A decision was made in the early 1980's to discontinue the engineering technology programs. Faculty from industrial technology and systems engineering became part of the nucleus of faculty for a new beginning in industrial engineering at Clemson.

(This description of the early years is noticeably sketchy. Some of our history has been temporarily lost, and alumni or others who can fill in some gaps are encouraged to contact the Department.)