Douglas W. Bradbury was born in Seneca, SC, May 9, 1919. He attended Clemson College 1936-1940 where he earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. From 1940-1942 Bradbury remained at Clemson as an assistant in drawing; however, in February 1942 Bradbury began his service in the U.S. Army as 1st Lt. of the 4th Infantry Division. He later received a Bronze Medal for valor in battle in the invasion of Normandy, France. In 1946 Bradbury returned to work at Clemson as assistant in drawing; he later held positions as acting head of drawing, head of engineering graphics, and professor of machine design. In 1969 he was made an Alumni Professor of Machine Engineering. In 1985 Bradbury retired from his career at Clemson as well as his career of consultation in architectural design. Bradbury died October 12, 2012.

The department of mechanical engineering was established at Clemson College in 1893. Originally Professor Stonewall Tompkins headed the curriculum which included kinematics, dynamics, foundry and machine shop, mechanical laboratory, thermodynamics, and steam engines. The graduating class of 1897 included twenty-two students who graduated with the combination mechanical and electrical engineering degree. By 1901 the department included courses on machine design, electrical engineering, and sample examinations, and the 1902 curriculum listed an increase of mechanical laboratory equipment, under the leadership of Clinton Cook, 1958-1965, the department experienced a growth in graduate programming. Professors T. C. Hardin and J. Charles Hester brought about changes in the curriculum, expanded research activities, and increased relations with industry. Under Eugene H. Bishop, 1974-1979, the department instituted an external master of engineering program.

The department was housed in Mechanical Hall until it was destroyed by fire in 1926. In 1927 the department moved to the newly built Riggs Hall. In 1960 some mechanical engineering laboratories were relocated to Cook Laboratory in Rhodes Hall.