William Lispenard Robb, (1861-1933) received a B.A. degree from Columbia University. He continued his post-graduate studies in Germany under von Helmholtz and Kirchoff, and received his Ph.D. at the University of Berlin. He went to Rensselaer as a Professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering in 1902 by Director P. C. Ricketts, who was then embarking on a program of broadening the scope of the Institute curriculum. Dr. Robb introduced, organized, and heeded the course and department of electrical engineering until his death in 1933.
Dr. Robb was the first of that group of newcomers who helped to broaden and revitalize science and engineering at Rensselaer. His exacting and somewhat gruff manner and method as a teacher and administrator only partly concealed the essential integrity of the man, who represented the concept of “no nonsense” education.
[Information courtesy of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Archives. Special thanks to Ms. Jenifer Monger of RPI.]
Prof. Wynant J. Williams (1884-1950), was one of the nation’s pioneers in radio work and head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at RPI. He received his bachelors degree from RPI and attended Berlin Technische Hochschule 1910. Professor Williams had directed engineering research throughout his professional life. He was engaged in radio research work since 1909 and later worked on the development of television. During the war he directed the development of a high frequency shielding device which was used by the armed forces of the United States and Great Britain. The device made possible the use of electricity in places where it could not be detected . This work was done for the National Defense Research Committee. Wynant J. Williams was born in Port Dover, Ontario, Canada. Following his graduation from RPI, Professor Williams became associated with the Institute as an instructor. When RPI was ready to establish a course in electrical engineering in 1910, the late Palmer C. Ricketts, president at that time, and Dr. William Robb sent Professor Williams to Germany to study electrical engineering courses. The information which he obtained was used to establish the Electrical Engineering Department at the Institute. He became head of the department in 1940.
For years he had been consultant, consulting engineer and advisor to many firms in electrical matters and radio work. He was technical advisor for the National Electric Light Association at a time when 11 projects were being considered simultaneously and the results of the research were new equipment and measures which now permit all power and communication systems to operate in the same medium without disastrous interference. He was associated with the American Radio League and the Croft Laboratory of Harvard University in research in the short wave used for television. Professor Williams was a member of the New York State Society of Professional Engineering and the American Institute of Electrical Engineering. His hobby was farming. He disliked public speaking.
[Information courtesy of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Archives. Special thanks to Ms. Jenifer Monger of RPI.]
