Our History
Mead & Hunt is a national, full-service architectural and engineering firm that has been serving markets for well over a century. The firm was established by hydroelectric and hydraulic engineer Daniel Mead in 1900. Since its founding, Mead & Hunt has grown significantly in size and diversity. The growth of the company has mirrored the changing markets of the country—as infrastructure needs expanded, so did we. Today, the firm provides services nationwide and employs more than 1,200 people.
Daniel Mead was well-known in the industry for his stance on ethical engineering, espousing a moral obligation to the community. This strong foundation of people-first values has informed our purpose as a firm from the beginning. While the markets may change around us, our responsibility to our employees, clients, and communities stays the same. We will continue to shape the future by putting people first.
1900
Daniel Mead Founds Firm
Young hydrology engineer Daniel W. Mead founds his firm in Chicago, Illinois. Mead held strong ideals about ethical engineering. He believed an engineer should bring value to the greater community, and Mead & Hunt was founded on these values.
1904
Wisconsin office opens
Mead & Hunt opens a second office in Madison, Wisconsin, located in the attic of the engineering building at the university.
1918
Innovative flood control in Miami
After being appointed to the Miami Conservancy board to study alternative methods of flood control, Mead contributes to a report which leads to the construction of flood control works in the Miami River Valley. The work done is the first of its kind in the United States.
1928
Mead appointed to Hoover Dam study
Congress authorizes construction of the Hoover Dam to control flooding of the Colorado River and create electrical energy. Because of Mead’s work in hydroelectric engineering, President Calvin Coolidge appointed him to a committee to study the project’s details.
1936
Ethical engineering
Daniel Mead famously writes “The Engineer and His Code,” a guideline focusing on engineering ethics.
1942
WWII necessitates changes
As World War II looms, the needs of a nation at war brings significant changes to our firm. One of the biggest sources of work for engineering firms across the nation, including Mead & Hunt, was the design and construction of Army training centers.
1946
Hunt joins Mead
Electrical engineer Henry Hunt officially becomes a partner.
1949
Architecture brings new horizons
Mead & Hunt hires its first architect and expands into the food industry—an industry we are still active in today.
1950s
Breaking into commercial aviation
The advent of the commercial airline age brings new vigor to the nation’s airports. Mead & Hunt’s prior experience designing military bases leads us into the commercial aviation industry.
1970s
Diversifying markets and service lines
Although Mead & Hunt was built on the hydro industry, by the 1970s, we’d diversified to offer a wider variety of service lines than ever before: airports, highways and bridges, sanitary, food and beverage, structures, hydroelectric, and surveys.
1980s-1990s
Suburban expansion
Suburban areas see a major population boom starting in the 1980s and continuing into the 1990s. As cities grow, so do their engineering needs. Our team helps map the future for several of these communities.
2000
Mead & Hunt turns 100
We celebrate our 100th anniversary, launching a campaign of community action initiatives and coworker and client appreciation activities. Our strong company culture continues to sustain us.
2020
120 years old and still going strong
Mead & Hunt celebrates 120 years in business. We now employ more than 1,200 professionals across 40+ offices nationwide.
