The activity of higher technical education in our country began in 1942 with the establishment of the "Higher Technical Institute". Just two years later, in 1944, within the framework of this institute, the first specialized departments were formed – "Metallography", headed by Associate Professor Karl Slavomirov, and "Descriptive Geometry", under the leadership of Professor Georgi Uzunov. These steps laid the foundations of modern engineering education in our country.  

In 1945, new developments followed – the creation of the State Polytechnic, under whose umbrella three key directions were united: "Mechanical Engineering", "Electrical Engineering", and "Industrial Chemistry". Thus, an institution was formed whose mission is the preparation of highly qualified specialists for the needs of industry and science in the country.  

The Department of "Machine Elements" trains students in "Machine Drawing" as well, and the head is Prof. G. Angelov with assistants: B. Popov, Kr. Djivanov, A. Mollov, D. Hristov, S. Boyadzhiev, A. Zhaltov, Vl. Divizie, Al. Vrigazov. In 1953, the Mechanical-Electrical Institute was created.

In 1956, within the framework of the Department of "Descriptive Geometry and Machine Drawing", headed by Associate Professor Georgi Petrov, targeted work began in the field of technical design. Six years later, in 1962, an independent Department of "Machine Drawing" was created, placed under the leadership of Associate Professor Dimitar Valkov. This step underscores the growing importance of the discipline for the preparation of future engineers.  
In 1974, the department underwent an organizational transformation and was renamed "Fundamentals and Technical Means for Design", which reflects the expansion of its research and educational activities.  

The first textbook on "Machine Drawing", authored by Prof. G. Angelov and Assoc. Prof. S. Boyadzhiev, was published in 1954.

Over the years, the heads of the department have been prominent Bulgarian engineers and builders such as Prof. M. Popov (1967 – 1978 and 1985 – 1989), Assoc. Prof. P. Angelov (1978 – 1985), Prof. Br. Sandalski (1989 – 1996 and 2000 – 2007), Prof. M. Leparov (1996 – 2000), Assoc. Prof. M. Georgiev (2007 – 2011), Prof. B. Tudzharov (2011 – 2015). Currently, the head of the department is Assoc. Prof. G. Stanchev (since 2015).