Thomas HeinrichView profile
Professor
Thomas Heinrich is a Professor and Chair of the Department of History at Baruch College, City University of New York, where he has served since at least 2001. He is affiliated with the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences and specializes in business and naval history. Heinrich teaches courses on World War II, naval battles, American business history, and modern American history, with recent offerings including HIS 3430 World War II: A Global History and HIS 3390 Naval Battles and Society. Education: Ph.D., History, University of Pennsylvania M.A., History, SUNY Buffalo B.A., History, University of Bielefeld, Germany Professor Heinrich's research focuses on the intersection of industrial development, technological innovation, and military history, with particular emphasis on naval shipbuilding and business history. His work explores how industrial practices evolved during critical periods like World War II and the Cold War, examining the relationship between government, military needs, and private industry. He investigates how naval technology development influenced broader economic patterns and how business practices adapted to meet military demands during times of conflict. His research also delves into the social dimensions of industrial history, including labor relations, company towns, and racial dynamics in shipyard communities. Heinrich's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on naval history and industrial development, particularly examining American naval shipbuilding across different historical periods. His work shows a progression from studies of 19th century shipbuilding to comprehensive analyses of World War II production and Cold War naval development. The research reveals patterns of government-industry collaboration, technological innovation under pressure, and the evolving political economy of defense production. His scholarship bridges business history, technological history, and military history, creating a multidisciplinary approach to understanding America's industrial and naval development. Scientific Awards: John Lyman Book Award (2021) from North American Society for Oceanic History Andrew W. Mellon Dissertation Fellowship (1993) Roy F. Nichols Dissertation Fellowship (1992) Philadelphia Center for Early American Studies Research Grant (1988) SUNY Buffalo Graduate Research Fellowship Professor Heinrich has received multiple research grants from PSC-CUNY to support his work on naval history and industrial development. His recent funded projects include "Cold war naval procurement in the United States and Britain, 19450-1967" (2020-2022), "West German Naval Rearmament, 1950-1960" (2022-2023), and multiple Department Chair Research Accounts. As department chair, he oversees faculty development and curriculum planning while maintaining an active research agenda. His current research includes collaborative work on American and British armor production between the wars and a planned book-length study of cold-war naval shipbuilding and missile production. While the text doesn't explicitly mention specific research labs or teams, Professor Heinrich collaborates with scholars internationally, including Professor Chris Miller of Glasgow University. His work connects with maritime history institutions like the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the International Maritime Economic History Association, suggesting participation in broader scholarly networks focused on naval and maritime history.
