Our MIT story

We see the shoulder of the sculpture Alchemist by Jaume Plensa, commissioned by an anonymous alumnus on the occasion of the Institute’s 150th anniversary. The words on the image read Quintessential MIT.

Our MIT story

The MIT Press was formally established in 1962 and is now one of the world’s largest and most distinguished university presses. Our content is unparalleled in breadth, depth, and diversity, and our work is enlivened by the trademark MIT entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation. With books, journals, and digital products that are relentlessly forward-thinking, we challenge ourselves to look beyond the horizon of what's possible and continually reimagine what a university press can be.

Our editorial offices and the MIT Press Bookstore are located in the heart of Kendall Square, and we are proud to be a bridge between the campus, the community in Cambridge, and the rest of the world. Explore our campus roots below:

  • MIT faculty & staff authors - We are proud to publish MIT-affiliated authors, including current and former faculty, staff, and alumni. View a selection of new and recent books and journal articles from the MIT community.
  • Books about MIT places and people - MIT is a famously innovative campus with rich traditions, peerless design and architecture, and unparalleled faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Explore our books about MIT's people, spaces, and ideas.
  • The MIT Press Bookstore - The MIT Press is one of the only (if not the only) university presses with a bookstore. The MIT Press Bookstore—dubbed "Kendall Square's Underground Bookstore"—is located at 314 Main Street in Cambridge and stocks a wide range of books from MIT Press and other publishers. Stop by to browse and take advantage of our MIT community discounts.
  • The MIT community - The MIT Press works with campus collaborators and local partners to bring big ideas and authors to our community. Learn more about our campus outreach and the discounts we offer to the MIT community or join us at an upcoming event.

To learn more about the impact we've had over the last 60 years, please read this timeline of major initiatives and books, prepared to celebrate our anniversary.