In the twenties, São Paulo experienced a boom in the processes of industrial diversification and integration, with a resulting increase in the productive activities in the capital city. That context offered new challenges to the civil construction industry and to the corresponding technological research being developed by the Center for Materials Resistance at the Polytechnic School (Gabinete de Resistência dos Materiais -Escola Politécnica). In order to respond more effectively to the business demand for testings and technical support, the Gabinete/Center was thoroughly restructured, gaining more autonomy and modifying its priorities. Thus recast as the renowned Laboratório de Ensaios de Materiais (LEM), it developed systematic technological research from 1926 to 1934, when it underwent another change which gave rise to the Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas (IPT)/Institute of Technological Research.
social history; technological research; concrete; construction industry; urbanization of São Paulo
