About US

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     Theta Tau was founded on October 15, 1904 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota as  "The Society of Hammers and Tongs" by Erich Julius Schrader, Isaac Baker Hanks, Elwin Leroy Vinal, and William Murray  Lewis.  Originally we were founded as a coal mining fraternity, however eventually the fraternity fulfilled Erich Schrader's dream of becoming an engineering fraternity. 

     Brother Schrader established a record of service unequaled in the fraternity's history. He served as its first Grand Regent until 1919, and then for 35 years as Grand Scribe. His service continued until his death in 1962, at the age of 81. The other founders also maintained their interest in the fraternity throughout their lives. The last, Brother Vinal, died in 1971.

     Brother Schrader was chiefly responsible for the Ritual, Constitution, and the Bylaws adopted by the founders. The first badge was a gold skull with the letters Θ and Τ on its forehead, and a crossed hammer and tongs beneath. The Constitution provided for the establishment of additional chapters at other leading engineering schools, and the fraternity soon began to take on its national character.