Rob Kleppinger papers, 1950-1981
Part of collection: RCA Solid State Division records (2464-75)
Dates
- Creation: 1950-1981
Biographical Note
Robert E. Kleppinger was born in Nebraska in 1930. He earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska in 1951 and an M.S. in mathematics from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 1955. Kleppinger began working for RCA in 1951 at the RCA Semiconductor Advanced Development Group in Harrison, New Jersey, where he conducted research on junction transistors.
In 1955, Kleppinger moved to the new semiconductor (solid state) plant at Somerville, New Jersey. There, he oversaw production and the semiconductor model shop. During this period, RCA expanded its production capabilities, and Kleppinger traveled frequently to the plants at Findlay, Ohio and Mountaintop, Pennsylvania. When RCA expanded its plant in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in 1980, Kleppinger moved there to oversee production, returning to Somerville in 1986 when the Florida plant closed. He retired in 1991.
Kleppinger held a number of positions while at RCA, ending his career as a Principal Member of Technical Staff. He published several papers in the RCA Engineer, received Plant and Divisional Technical Excellence Awards, and was awarded one patent related to semiconductor research. Kleppinger died in Bridgewater, New Jersey in 2001.
Scope and Content
The Rob Kleppinger papers are composed of articles, notes, photographs, and prototypes related to Kleppinger’s work on transistors for the RCA Solid State Division. Of particular interest are the mounted diode displays and the photograph albums of RCA’s transistor models.
General Physical Description (AVD portion only)
(AVD portion only) 2 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. 65 photographic prints : color ; 4 x 6 in and smaller. 29 photographic prints : color ; 8 x 10 in. 65 photographic prints : b&w ; 4 x 6 in or smaller.
Arrangement
Folders arranged alphabetically by subject.
Extent
From the Collection: 5.25 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Additional Description
Access Restrictions
Records subject to 25-year time seal.
This collection contains material from the Manuscripts and Archives Department (M&A) and the Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department (AVD). Box prefixes indicate which department holds an individual file or item.
Negatives are housed in cold storage and must reacclimate prior to viewing (Box AVD-NG1). Please contact the Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department at least 48 hours in advance of research visit.
Arrangement
Folders arranged alphabetically by subject.
Provenance
The Rob Kleppinger papers were donated to the David Sarnoff Library by Kleppinger in 2001.
Processing Notes
Processed by Rachael A. Beyer, 2014.
Subjects
Related Names
Subject
- Kleppinger, Robert E., 1930-2001 (Person)
Creator
- From the Collection: RCA Corporation. Solid State Division (Organization)
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
