Dale Otis Hull was born February 26, 1912, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He received his B.S. (1939) and M.S. (1940) in agricultural engineering from Iowa State College (University).

At Iowa State, Hull was a Graduate Assistant (1939-1940) at the Iowa State Agricultural Experiment Station. He was then hired as an automotive engineer (1940-1944) and a lubrication engineer (1944-1945) for the Standard Oil Company in Mason City, Iowa. Hull returned to Iowa State as an Assistant Professor (1945 -1954) in the Agricultural Engineering Department. He was promoted to Associate Professor (1954-1957) and Professor (1957-1977). He was named Professor Emeritus in 1978.

Hull's research interests include farm power and machinery and the related safety issues. He was an active member in the Society of Automotive Engineers Tractor Test Code Committee, Iowa Farm Safety Council, and the Federal Regional Energy Office.

Numerous professional groups honored Hull for his professional achievements. He was recognized by Alpha Zeta, Phi Kappa Phi, Gamma Sigma Delta, and Epsilon Sigma Phi, and received Epsilon Sigma Phi Certificates of Merit and the National Silo Association Z. W. Craine Award (1969). Hull served as the Chairman of the Mid Central Section of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. He was also a long-time member of the National Literature Committee of the National 4-H Tractor Program.

Hull died July 1, 2003.