In 1638 Galileo Galilei discussed the strength of materials as one of the new sciences in his last book “Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations Relating to Two New Sciences” (Galilei 1638). Cahn suggests that Materials Science and Engineering emerged by integration of (sub)disciplines rather than by splitting (Cahn 2001). While remaining firmly anchored in physics, chemistry and mechanics, it addressed previously unanswered questions, on elastic and plastic deformation as well as fracture that now constitute the discipline of Materials Science and Engineering. The mechanical properties of materials are now a recognized research field within modern Materials Science and Engineering.