1937
The Laboratory was established as the Government Mechanical Laboratory (GML) under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (now known as the Ministry of International Trade and Industry)and was located at Ginza Kobikicho,Tokyo.

1939
GML was moved to Sumiyoshi-cho,Suginami-ku,Tokyo(now lgusa 4-chome,Suginami-ku,Tokyo).

1942
The Higashimurayama Branch Laboratory was established.

1943
The Nagoya Branch Laboratory was established.

1948
The Agency of Industrial Science and Technology(AIST)was established,and GML became part of this organization.

1952
The Nagoya Branch Laboratory was transferred to the Government Industrial Research Institute,Nagoya.(now known as National Industrial Research Institute of Nagoya)

1953
The Metrology Department of the Laboratory was transferred to the National Research Laboratory of Metrology.

1955
The Amagasaki Branch Laboratory was established.The Aeronautics Department was transferred to the newly established National Aerospace Laboratory.

1956
The metallurgy Department was transferred to the newly established National Research Institute for Metals.

1962
The Amagasaki Branch Laboratory was closed.

1967
The General Affairs Department and Research Planning Office were established. The Automobile Department was established.

1969
The Yatabe Automobile Testing Station was established.

1971
GML was renamed the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory(MEL)and was reorganized.

1973
The posts of Deputy Director-General and Director of the Research Planning Office were established.

1980
MEL was moved to Tsukuba Science City.

1981
The automobile proving ground was completed at the Tsukuba Research Center No.2.

1984
The laboratory was reorganized and the Energy Engineering and Robotics Departments were　established.

1987
The 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the laboratory was celebrated.

1989
The laboratory was reorganized.

1994
In accordance with the Management Review, some reorganization was took place.

1997
The 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the Laboratory was celebrated.

---