Founded on October 13, 1885, the Georgia School of Technology opened its doors in October 1888 to eighty-four students. The School's creation signaled the beginning of the transformation of the agrarian South to an industrial economy. During its first fifty years, Tech grew from a narrowly focused trade school to a regionally recognized technological university.

In 1948, the School's name was changed to the Georgia Institute of Technology to reflect a growing focus on advanced technological and scientific research. Women students were admitted in 1952, and in 1961 Georgia Tech became the first university in the Deep South to admit African American students without a court order.

In recent years, Georgia Tech has been a national leader in managing the global transition from an industrial economy to an information economy. Throughout its long history, Georgia Tech has always focused its efforts on preparing students to use their innovative skills and strong work ethic to solve real-world problems and improve the lives of people around the globe.

From the world-famous "Ramblin' Wreck" fight song to the Ramblin' Wreck Parade held every Homecoming to the fun and festivities of RATS Week, the Tech campus is steeped in time-honored traditions that students embrace from generation to generation.