The Institute was established on September 24, 1953 on the basis of a few divisions in Department IV (Technical Sciences) of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The initial groups of scientists were dealing with mechanics of continuous media, electronics, theoretical electronics, vibrations and metals. Later, many other divisions were created for energy transformation, isotopes, astronautics and magnetics. In the following years, several divisions were transformed into independent units and left the IFTR.

During all the consecutive stages of organization, the basic core of the Institute was formed by divisions carrying on research in the following fields:

• mechanics of continuous media,
• mechanics of structures and materials,
• fluid mechanics,
• physical acoustics and ultrasonics,
• mechanical systems,
• electromagnetic waves.

Several smaller groups dealt with polymer physics, composite materials, non-destructive testing methods, etc. These directions of research are still present at the Institute and several other specialized groups have been created, e.g. in computer science, biomechanics and robotics.

The development of the Institute was closely related to a few outstanding scientists who first created it and later worked with universally recognized results.

The following names should be mentioned: I. Malecki (physical acoustics), W. Nowacki (elasticity and thermoelasticity), W. Olszak (plasticity and structural mechanics), J. Bonder and W. Fiszdon (mechanics of fluids), L. Filipczyński (ultrasound in medicine), J. Groszkowski (electronics), W. Gutkowski (optimization of structures), J. Kaczmarek (machine design), S. Kaliski (technical physics), A. Krupkowski (metallurgy), Z. Mróz (plasticity and optimization of structures), P. Perzyna (viscoplasticity), J. Rychlewski (plasticity), A. Sawczuk (plasticity and structural mechanics), W. Szczepiński (plasticity, experimental mechanics), Z. Wasiutyński (optimization of structures), S. Ziemba (mechanical systems), H. Zorski (theory of continuous media). Many other eminent scientists have spent many years at the Institute where an atmosphere of stability and tolerance was combined with high level of research and innovative attitude.

Throughout its history, the Institute has had an important influence on the development of research in basic technical disciplines in Poland. This influence was exerted by different means:

• several outstanding papers and books were published every year to become known and appreciated all over the world and set down a comparative level for other national research centers;
• six scientific journals (in English) are published covering main directions of research and having large international diffusion;
• over four hundreds of doctoral and habilitation degrees were conferred to young people who, for a large part, left the Institute to work at the universities and in the industry;
• several series of high level national and international conferences were organized in the above-mentioned fields;
• active participation of the Institute staff in all sectors of research development and organisation in Poland is recognized;
• rich collection of world journals and books is available to all those interested through the inter-library exchange.

For over forty years the Institute has strengthened its position as one of the leading world centers of research. Professors and younger scientists coming from the Institute are welcome at the most famous universities and laboratories.

From the beginning, the international co-operation was an important part of the activity. For shorter and longer periods, members of the staff visited most of the leading research centers of the world and joint research projects were carried out. Several researchers from different countries received their degrees here. Visits by eminent scientists and their lectures are very frequent at the Institute.

The basic research in several directions is always the main activity of the Institute. However, during all these years the application of the research results in practice was considered to be very important and many groups were closely connected to the industry. Several patents were awarded and new prototypes were produced at the Institute, mostly for nonconventional testing of structures, materials and the human body.

Since 1991 the budget of the Institute has been funded by the Committee of Scientific Research and supplemented by grants for particular research projects and by contracts with industrial partners for various kinds of research services. Grants and contracts with foreign partners are increasing in number and value.

The history and tradition of the Institute are its bases for the present development when new possibilities are open but also new difficulties arise. Purpose-oriented research projects, high efficiency and openness to all new possibilities are always highly appreciated. Cooperation with the industry, joint programs with the research centers in Europe, North America and Japan and involvement in high education programs are the main directions of the present activity, in which fundamental research is supported and combined with application.