	Created in1958, one of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's founding purposes was to further technology transfer between the government and commercial sector.
The NASA Industrial Application Centers were started in the 1960s to further this purpose, with the USC branch opening in 1967. For 31 years, technology transfer has been a key element at USC — and the Engineering Technology Transfer Center continues that tradition of excellence.

NIAC Started The NASA Industrial Application Center, first founded at USC, opened its doors to further technology transfer via information searches.	Subsidised Information Searches The USC NIAC began subsidized information searches for small businesses to better locate helpful technologies.	Information Services Expanded Subsidezed information services were expanded to cover the Small Business Innovation Research program to improve chances for success and winning awards for small businesses.
RISS Launched The Remote Interactive Search Service was launched to allow an information user at a remote site to participate in a search via a specialized computer modem link.	Delve Into Internet To increase immediate communication between NIAC, NASA and other federal labs, the center begins utilizing electronic mail through the Internet.	Affiliate Network Starts With three inital states, the USC NIAC initates concept of using satellite offices to give NASA a technology transfer presence outside the limited in-state range of NIAC's main office.
Affiliate Network Expands By the early nineties the USC NIAC boasted affiliates in 13 states, more than any other NIAC.	USC Selected at RTTC USC wins competition to operate the NASA Far West Regional Technology Transfer Center, one of six located throughout the United States. The RTTCs replaced the NIACs in the NASA technology transfer system.	Further Utilization of Internet While the center had used electronic mail since the 1980s, a Gopher, then web site were launched to increase awareness regarding the Far West RTTC's mission.
Wins TRP Award The RTTC Network wins Technology Reinvestment Project award to defense conversion. The project was designed to provide business and technical assistance for defense dependent firms that were seeking to diversify. Far West RTTC budget and staff size doubled.	Change in Management Reporting The Far West RTTC begins reporting to Ames Research Center, rather than NASA Headquarters, as had previousally been done.	ETTC Formed To offer an increased range of services, the USC Engineering school creates the ETTC to manage several programs, which include the NASA Far West RTTC, Commercial Services and the International Programs Office.
Wins Justin Morill Award USC ETTC wins the Justin Morill Award for excelence in technology transfer from the Technology Transfer Society.	Wins New Contract USC ETTC wins highly competitive contract to operate NASA Far West Regional Technology Transfer Center for five more years.