Harry C. Rippel papers

Collection

Identifier: MC-00-088

Staff Only

Scope and content note

The collection contains the academic, professional, and personal papers of Mr. Rippel, mainly covering his time as a student at Drexel Institute of Technology and his work at Franklin Institute Research Laboratories. This collection is divided into three series: Drexel Institute of Technology student files, Franklin Institute Research Laboratories work files, and Personal files. A particular strength of the collection is Mr. Rippel’s work-related files, which primarily consist of manuals and papers published by him and other individuals on many aspects of tribology. These materials can be found in the “Manuals and handbooks” and “Publications” subseries in series 2, Franklin Institute Research Laboratories work files.

The first series, Drexel Institute of Technology student files, 1943-1952, contains class notebooks, grade cards, school diplomas, and unofficial transcripts from his undergraduate and graduate career at Drexel Institute of Technology. The series is arranged alphabetically and each of the listed categories is arranged chronologically.

The second series, Franklin Institute Research Laboratories work files, 1948-1997, contains work-related material that is broken down into eleven subseries: Work notebooks, Manuals and handbooks, Publications, Photographs, Correspondence, Seminar notes, Charts and calculations, Literature surveys and bibliography, Certificates and awards, Vendor catalogs and brochures, and Miscellaneous. Arrangement is chronological for all subseries except “Vendor catalogs and brochures,” which is arranged alphabetically. Please review folder lists or series description for more information.

The third series, Personal files, 1944-2004, contains material relating to his personal life, including involvement with Boys Scouts of America, John Bartram High School, CV, drafting tools, personal contacts, professional memberships, and St. James Church. Arrangement is alphabetical.

Dates

1943-2004
Majority of material found within 1952 - 1984

Creator

Rippel, Harry C. (Person)

Access restrictions

Contains grades from Mr. Rippel’s undergraduate and graduate student career at Drexel. The portion containing student grade cards and transcripts is not restricted as Mr. Rippel is deceased (2004) and FERPA no longer applies. The collection is open for research use.

Biographical note

Harry Conrad Rippel was born on February 19, 1926 and raised in Philadelphia. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 in the European Theater and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism. In 1948, he married Dorothy Tartala. He studied mechanical engineering at Drexel Institute of Technology, completing a bachelor’s degree in 1952 and a master’s degree in 1957. During his undergraduate years at Drexel, Mr. Rippel was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (A.S.M.E.). He was a principal engineer at the Franklin Institute Research Laboratories in Philadelphia from 1952 to 1984, then worked as a consultant for government and industry. In recognition of his contributions in the specialized technology of sliding-surface bearing systems, he was elected a Franklin Institute Fellow in 1978. He was a world-renowned expert in tribology, the science of friction and lubrication. Some of his notable accomplishments include work on bearings for implantable human hearts, the Apollo 11 rocket transporter, and the Hubble space telescope. Mr. Rippel died on March 27, 2004.

Sources: Lexerd (1952), Commencement programs (1952, 1957), curriculum vitae (circa 1985), and The Philadelphia Inquirer obituary entitled “Harry C. Rippel, ‘Mr. Franklin Institute’” (April 22, 2004).

Extent

3 Cubic Feet (12 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Harry Conrad Rippel (1926-2004) worked as a principal engineer at Franklin Institute Research Laboratory from 1952 to 1984 and was a leading authority on tribology, the study of friction, wear, lubrication, and the design of bearings. He studied mechanical engineering at Drexel Institute of Technology, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1952 and then a master’s degree in 1957. This collection contains the academic, professional, and personal papers of Mr. Rippel, spanning from 1943-2004, with the bulk of the materials from 1952-1984. The majority of the collection consists of Mr. Rippel’s work files from Franklin Institute Research Laboratories, most notably rough drafts and published manuals as well as published papers written by Mr. Rippel and others relating to tribology. Also included are his Drexel academic files, other work-related materials, and files from his personal life.