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Brief History of Department of Mechanics and Aeronautics
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Actually, some members of its staff belong to the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Rome "La Sapienza", while other members belong to the School of Astronautical Engineering of the same University.
The University of Rome "La Sapienza" is the oldest university established in Rome. It was founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII as "Studium Urbis" , in the name of Wisdom (in italian "La Sapienza").
The Faculty of Engineering was established in 1817 by Pope Pius VII as a school of Hydraulics, Statics and Architecture, autonomous from the "Studium Urbis". In 1873, after Italy was unified, the school changed its name in School of Application of Engineering in Rome (still of universitary level). At last, in 1935, the School assumed its present form and became a Faculty of the University of Rome.
Many important italian scientist and engineers have studied and worked at this Faculty. Among these two of the most important italian aeronautical designer: Alessandro Marchetti (designer of aircrafts such as the S.55, used by Italo Balbo in his epic flights across the Atlantic, or the famous SM.79, probably the best terrestrial torpedo-bomber in the World War II) and Celestino Rosatelli (which designed the fighters Fiat CR.32 and Fiat CR.42, and the bomber FIAT BR.20).
