In 1979, The Charles Machine Works, the company behind the Ditch Witch brand, contributed $1,000 to support the establishment of a permanent home for Oklahoma’s engineering community. Adjusted for inflation, that investment is equivalent to roughly $4,400 today.

Founded in 1949 in Perry, Oklahoma, The Charles Machine Works developed the first Ditch Witch trenching machine to address a practical problem: how to install underground utility lines more efficiently. The equipment quickly gained traction, helping transform the installation of water, gas, and telecommunications infrastructure.

By the time of its contribution in 1979, the company had established itself as a significant presence in Oklahoma manufacturing and a recognized innovator in underground construction equipment. Its support of the Engineering Center reflected the close connection between applied engineering, industry, and the development of professional infrastructure.

The company remained privately held and headquartered in Oklahoma for decades, expanding its product lines and global reach while maintaining its roots in Perry. In 2019, The Charles Machine Works was acquired by The Toro Company, and the Ditch Witch brand continues in operation.

The presence of The Charles Machine Works on the original donor plaque highlights the role of Oklahoma-based companies in supporting the engineering profession at a formative moment. Its 1979 contribution, modest in scale but meaningful in context, reflects a broader pattern of industry investment in education, collaboration, and long-term capacity building.

Today, the impact of that era continues through the work of engineers across the state, many of whom rely on the types of tools and infrastructure innovations that companies like The Charles Machine Works helped pioneer.

In 1979, The Charles Machine Works, the company behind the Ditch Witch brand, contributed $1,000 to support the establishment of a permanent home for Oklahoma’s engineering community. Adjusted for inflation, that investment is equivalent to roughly $4,400 today.

Founded in 1949 in Perry, Oklahoma, The Charles Machine Works developed the first Ditch Witch trenching machine to address a practical problem: how to install underground utility lines more efficiently. The equipment quickly gained traction, helping transform the installation of water, gas, and telecommunications infrastructure.

By the time of its contribution in 1979, the company had established itself as a significant presence in Oklahoma manufacturing and a recognized innovator in underground construction equipment. Its support of the Engineering Center reflected the close connection between applied engineering, industry, and the development of professional infrastructure.

The company remained privately held and headquartered in Oklahoma for decades, expanding its product lines and global reach while maintaining its roots in Perry. In 2019, The Charles Machine Works was acquired by The Toro Company, and the Ditch Witch brand continues in operation.

The presence of The Charles Machine Works on the original donor plaque highlights the role of Oklahoma-based companies in supporting the engineering profession at a formative moment. Its 1979 contribution, modest in scale but meaningful in context, reflects a broader pattern of industry investment in education, collaboration, and long-term capacity building.

Today, the impact of that era continues through the work of engineers across the state, many of whom rely on the types of tools and infrastructure innovations that companies like The Charles Machine Works helped pioneer.