Inspiring
Washington
125 years, and counting.
For 125 years and counting, Washington State University has been inspiring discovery, achievement, innovation, and courage. Let’s take a moment to look back and celebrate WSU’s history.
Explore some of the most memorable moments at WSU, from presidents to Apple Cups to wine grapes, through this interactive timeline. And we invite you to share your story, too. WSU is a community of inspired and inspiring Cougs like you with rich stories and experiences to share.
Join us as we celebrate 125 years and the people who made it all possible. Go Cougs!
1890s
AKA: “The Mauve Decade,” so called because the color dominates fashion of the time. Notable: Panhard et Levassor in France begins commercial production of automobiles. Wilhelm Rontgen discovers X-rays. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle publishes the first Sherlock Holmes story (A Scandal in Bohemia).Crimson and Gray: The initial footprint of the Pullman campus begins to appear. By the end of the decade, the growing college includes resident halls, playfields, and a student newspaper.
1900s
AKA: “The Confident Years,” so called because the beginning of the 20th century marks an era in which Americans feel they can accomplish anything. Peace, prosperity, and progress all seem possible. Notable: Marie Curie wins the Nobel Prize for her role in the discovery of radiation. The Wright brothers test their Wright Glider at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Pablo Picasso co-founds the Cubist art movement and paints Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, considered by some to be the birth of modern art. Crimson and Gray: Enrollment grows steadily throughout the decade, reaching 1,371 students by 1906. Among the new facilities built to accommodate the growth: Bryan Hall, College Hall, and Van Doren Hall.
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