[1]: 109 Technological progress in the early nineteenth century fostered an interest in the teaching of applied science and engineering.
Polytechnic College of Pennsylvania was founded in 1853 by Dr. Alfred L. Kennedy, who took specific inspiration from polytechnic schools in Europe, including the Polytechnische Schule of Carlsruhe and the L'Ecole Centrale des Arts of Paris.
Kennedy (1819-1896) studied civil and mining engineering as well as medicine, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1848.
The school was located at the corner of Market Street and West Penn Square in Philadelphia.
[2] Kennedy was made president and served until financial problems forced the school to close in 1890.