Did you know that UTRF holds a special place in the annals of American innovation?
Established in 1934 as the UT Research Corporation, we’ve been a pioneering force in driving research breakthroughs for nearly a century.
The UT Research Corporation (UTRC) was chartered on December 24, 1934, for the purpose of promoting research and encouraging the use of research results. It was a response to requests principally by Dr. Kenneth Hertel (physics) and Dr. W. R. Woolrich (mechanical engineering) to establish a nonprofit corporation that could serve as an agency to obtain and to administer patents.
The UTRC was organized partially as a reaction to DuPont’s taking over an insecticide developed at the UT Experiment Station and marketing it. When UT complained, DuPont replied that it controlled the discovery by one of its widely inclusive patents.
Most of the activities of UTRC during its early years centered on various agricultural inventions, among the more successful of which were Hertel’s fiber testing devices. Hertel played a major role in UTRC’s history from the time of its founding until his death in 1976. In honor of his contributions, UTRC established, in 1979, Hertel Events, a yearly sponsorship of activities linking the academic community with the public. In 2003 the charter and role of the Research Corporation were broadened to form the UT Research Foundation.
Today, we continue to honor our legacy while embracing the future of innovation. From our humble beginnings promoting agricultural inventions to our current endeavors spanning biology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, alternative energy, and beyond, our journey exemplifies the spirit of progress and discovery.
Here’s to our storied past and the limitless possibilities ahead!