Research and teaching in the field of forming technology existed even before the founding of the Chair and Institute of Metal Forming Technology (IFU) at the former Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences. In 1953, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. E.h. Erich Siebel, as full professor of materials testing and strength of materials, had established the "Experimental Field for Forming", which was primarily dedicated to sheet metal forming processes, and in his lectures on "Forming in the Forming State" and "Materials Mechanics", he dealt with the fundamentals of forming technology with special consideration of material science aspects. The model concepts he developed for the treatment of forming processes became an essential component of the "elementary plasticity theory" still advocated today. The Chair and the Institute of Forming Technology were founded on November 1, 1958 at what was then the Technical University of Stuttgart.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Otto May was appointed as the first chair holder and director of the institute. Professor May, who became particularly well known for his developments in the field of press construction, established research at the IFU in the field of cold forging, which is still a major focus of the institute's work today. Professor May died on July 15, 1961, and unfortunately was not granted the opportunity to work as a university lecturer for a longer period of time.

In March 1963, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Kurt Lange assumed the leadership of the Chair and Institute for Metal Forming Technology. This was followed by a rapid expansion of the institute, both in terms of personnel and experimental facilities. In the summer of 1964, the institute, which had been cramped and somewhat makeshift at Keplerstraße 17, relocated to the new building at Holzgartenstraße 17. In addition to intensive research into forming technology processes, Prof. Lange also devoted himself early on to computational simulation of forming processes. This objective was supported by fundamental research in plasticity theory, materials science, and tribology. Prof. Lange led the Institute for Forming Technology from March 1963 to July 1988. Numerous publications, including several textbooks, notably the four-volume work "Umformtechnik" - Handbook for Industry and Science published by Springer Verlag, and the work "Handbook of Metal Forming" published in the USA, document Prof. Lange's 25 years of academic career. Prof. Lange represented and promoted IFU Stuttgart at national and international conferences, lectures, and congresses. Prof. Lange passed away on August 1, 2009, at the age of 89.

In August 1988, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Klaus Siegert took over the management of the Chair and the Institute of Forming Technology. During his time in office, the institute underwent a significant expansion in terms of space and equipment. In numerous publications and lectures, Professor Siegert dedicated himself to the objectives: "Reproducible, robust forming process", "Constant product quality through integration of control loops in the forming process" and "Predictability of final component properties". These objectives were pursued at the IFU through Determination of tribological parameters, material characteristics and workpiece properties, finite element process simulation as well as theoretical and experimental penetration of the forming process. Machine and plant engineering research and development of forming machines and plants. Professor Siegert headed the Chair and the Institute of Forming Technology until his retirement in October 2004. Professor Siegert passed away on April 29, 2014 at the age of 74.