The working papers, correspondence, publications, photos, artifacts, and biographical materials of Robert Talbot Knapp form the collection known as the Papers of Robert T. Knapp in the Archives of the California Institute of Technology. Knapp attended the Throop College of Technology in Pasadena, the forerunner of Caltech, and became professor there from 1951 until his death in 1957. Knapp was widely known as a leader in the fields of hydrodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mechanical engineering.

Robert Talbot Knapp was born January 5, 1899, in Loveland, Colorado. He received his secondary education in Los Angeles public schools and studied for three and one-half years (fall 1916 through fall 1919) at Throop College of Technology in Pasadena, forerunner of the California Institute of Technology. Knapp continued his studies in mechanical engineering at MIT in the spring semester of 1920, and he received his bachelor of science degree from MIT in the same year. Knapp returned to Caltech in 1922 as an instructor. He subsequently earned his PhD there in 1929 and became a full professor in 1951.

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Copyright may not have been assigned to the California Institute of Technology Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Caltech Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the California Institute of Technology Archives as the owner of the physical items and, unless explicitly stated otherwise, is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

The collection is open for research. Researchers must apply in writing for access.