Paul E. Klopsteg (1889-1991) Papers

The Paul E. Klopsteg papers fill ten boxes and span the period 1905-1991. They are organized in ten categories: biographical materials, education files, correspondence, archery files, governmental organizations files, professional organizations files, publications files, religion files, speech manuscript files, and material relating to World Wars I and II.

The biographical materials include a large number of certificates (Box 9, Folder 1; Box 10), calendars and diaries, many clippings on various aspects of Klopsteg's life, and a long interview (Box 2, Folder 7) dealing in detail with his activities in the American Association of Physics Teachers. A 19-page autobiographical typescript was written for the Cosmos Club (Box 4, Folder 8).

The education files contain materials documenting Klopsteg's work towards his B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. The files include laboratory data and reports, seminar papers written by Klopsteg, and copies of his master's and doctoral theses. A copy of Klopsteg's high school commencement program, and a general file on his social and academic activities at the University of Minnesota are included.

The correspondence is separated into general files and subject files. The subject correspondence deals with Klopsteg's business, consulting, academic, and family interests. Of particular interest is a substantial folder of correspondence with Erle Stanley Gardner dealing at some length with Gardner's procedures as an author.

The archery files include correspondence and related materials, published articles and speech manuscripts. A substantial folder of correspondence with Erle Stanley Gardner concerns their mutual interest in archery. Also of interest are four folders of correspondence with A.J. Costner, a pioneer in the resurgence of archery who also worked with the Pima Indians. Clippings also are included here. Several pertain to "Little Joe," the secret bow-pistol Klopsteg designed during World War II (Box 6, Folder 3; Box 9, Folder 3).

The files relating to the various governmental organizations in which Klopsteg was involved unfortunately are very thin. However, they help document Klopsteg's notable achievements in areas such as artificial limb research. Correspondence, notes, clippings, commission reports, progress reports, meeting agendas, membership rosters, conference programs, and typescripts of papers and remarks are scattered throughout. The World War II files document Klopsteg's involvement in the Office of Scientific Research and Development.

The professional organizations files include correspondence, programs, and event announcements. They document Klopsteg's close involvement and leadership roles in the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Physical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The publications files include a few drafts of articles and a large collection of reprints. The archery section also includes published articles.

The religion files include a small amount of clippings, correspondence, an article published by Klopsteg on how a physicist views God, and typescripts of religious talks given by Klopsteg. The bulk of this section refers to a series of talks Klopsteg gave to the ecumenical Wednesday Breakfast Group, 1963-1976.

The speech files contain drafts of papers Klopsteg presented on government's role in research, recollections of Northwestern physicist, Henry Crew (Box 8, Folder 12), and several events related to the University of Minnesota such as its centennial celebration in 1958 and Klopsteg's 50th class reunion in 1961. The sections on archery, religion, and World Wars I and II also include speech-related materials.

The World War I files relate to Klopsteg's work on the chronography which he developed in 1917-1918 for studying projectile velocities. His research is documented by correspondence, research statistics, lists of expenses and notes. The World War II files document Klopsteg's association with the Office of Scientific Research and Development in the South Pacific. They are comprised of correspondence, a diary, and government identification cards. Other files in this section relate to speeches made by Klopsteg, and some of his research on the penetrometer. Klopsteg's Medal of Merit Citation for World War II is filed here.

The oversize box contains over 80 certificates Klopsteg received from a variety of organizations and activities.