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G. Robert Le Ricolais records
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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Architectural Archives [Contact Us]220 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19094
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Architectural Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
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Born in La Roche-sur-Yon, France, in 1894, George Robert Le Ricolais studied and worked in his native country until 1951. At that date he started his academic career in the United States, leading structures workshops at the University of Illinois-Urbana, the University of North Carolina, Harvard, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania. In 1954 he joined the faculty of Penn's Department of Architecture in the Graduate School of Fine Arts. He was appointed to the Paul Philippe Cret chair in 1974, and taught until he retired in 1975. He died in Paris in 1977.
Le Ricolais studied mathematics and physics from 1912 to 1914, but the First World War interrupted his academic plans. He was seriously wounded in the war and received the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre with two citations for his valor.
Between 1918 and 1943 he practiced as a hydraulics engineer while pursuing research on the topic which was to occupy him for the rest of his career: structural configurations of "zero weight and infinite span." During that period he published two ground-breaking research papers, for which he received the recognition of his peers.
His 1935 article titled "Les tôles composées et leurs applications aux constructions métalliques légères" ("Composite Sheets and their Application to Lightweight Metallic Structures") introduced the concept of corrugated stress skins to the building industry. For this research he was awarded the Medal of the French Society of Civil Engineers.
His 1941 pioneering article, "Essai sur des systèmes réticulés à trois dimensions" ("Research on Three-Dimensional Network Systems") introduced many architects to the concept of space frame. Le Ricolais devoted much of his research to this subject, and received many patents for the innovative spatial structures developed in the course of his investigations. In 1962, he received the "Grand prix" of the Cercle d'études architecturales de France for this body of research. When André Malraux, the then Minister of Culture, presented the award, he declared, "The French State needs your audacity and vision." The daily Le Monde wrote that Le Ricolais was "the father of space structures."
In addition to his theoretical studies, Le Ricolais maintained an active consulting and contracting practice, working with architects on several projects, some of which were built. Between 1947 and 1958 he thus collaborated on a school, a vacation colony, an aircraft hangar, a covered market, a factory, two exhibition pavilions, an observatory and meteorology station, experimental housing, and a church.
Le Ricolais's importance to the field of structural engineering derives mostly from publications on his experimental structures and on his "way of thinking" during twenty years of research at the University of Pennsylvania. His belief that he had "found no better discipline in this unpredictable problem of form, than to observe the prodigies created by nature," led to his studies of soap-films and radiolariae. His observation that "it is an enormous reservoir of unexploited forms, mathematics and its symbols," led to his unique use of topology. Being against "people eating symbols all day," and believing that "the contact with things is full of meaning," he insisted on the building and testing of physical models of all concepts. His use of the paradox as a logical construct meant that in his structures, "the order of destruction should follow the order of its construction," and that in his studies for the partition of urban space he proposed that "the future objective is not how to structure buildings but how to structure circulations."
Le Ricolais felt that "the secret is to be curious." His curiosity was productive, as was his teaching. In acknowledgment of these achievements the American Institute of Architects made him a Fellow in 1973, and awarded him the A.I.A. Research Medal in 1976.
In addition to his professional career, Le Ricolais also maintained an interest in art and poetry throughout his life. In the 1920s he studied fine arts at the celebrated Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris, and later on he exhibited his airbrush paintings on multiple occasions. The Museum of Fine Arts in Nantes holds several examples of his paintings. Some of his poems were published under the title "A toute vapeur," in Cahiers de l'école de Rochefort (n.d.)
This biographical sketch is based in great part on the catalogue Robert Le Ricolais. Visiones y Paradojas. Visions and Paradox (Madrid: Fundación Cultural COAM, 1987).
This collection consists for the most part of records of Robert Le Ricolais's academic career at the University of Pennsylvania (1954-1975), together with professional and personal papers relating to his activity as an engineer and inventor both before and during that period. The collection also contains many published writings by other authors about the works of Le Ricolais. The documents span the period from 1923 (a blueprint for a gyroscopic pump designed by Le Ricolais) to 1997 (a copy of the exhibition catalogue devoted to his work), with the bulk of the collection covering the years 1954-1975.
Series I consists of structural models, most of which were built by University of Pennsylvania architecture students under Le Ricolais's direction during the twenty-one year period in which he taught at the Graduate School of Fine Arts. The models were built to evaluate the resistance of particular structural configurations—many of which were of Le Ricolais's own invention. Most of the models were load-tested in the GSFA structures laboratory at the time of their completion, and some show the patterns of failure which were of particular interest to Le Ricolais. Some of the configurations and load tests were documented by students as part of their coursework; the collection includes a number of such student reports, filed in Series VII. Throughout his life, Le Ricolais built or had others build many other models which have not survived in physical form; photography for some of those models may be found in the collection (Series III).
The collection contains a very small number of large-format drawings, mostly related to Le Ricolais's built projects: these are filed in Series II. Series III comprises photography relating to the structural models built by Le Ricolais or under his direction before and during his tenure at Penn. While some of the photography is contemporary with the models, most prints and all the slides were taken later, as part of a systematic documentation effort under the direction of Peter McCleary. The collection also includes a certain number of photographs of models which were destroyed or have otherwise not survived.
Another important part of the collection relates to Le Ricolais's activity as an engineer and as an inventor. The documents fall into two broad categories: personal notes and patent files. Series IV groups the notes, sketches, and calculations which were found in Le Ricolais's office at the time of his death; they have been left in the order in which the Architectural Archives received them. Series VI gathers the papers and correspondence relating to Le Ricolais's applications for patents. Most of those papers had been organized by patent application prior to their being given to the Architectural Archives; this organization has been preserved. The other correspondence has been filed separately in Series V.
A significant part of the collection consists of manuscript, typescript, and printed versions of research papers by Le Ricolais, as well as articles published about his work. The organization of this material derives from an earlier processing and cataloguing campaign, which divided the collection of articles by Le Ricolais into two distinct categories: "unpublished," meaning in manuscript or typescript form, whether or not the text was eventually published; and "published," for which the collection holds either offprints or photocopies. This organization has been preserved. Within the "unpublished" (Series VIII) and "published" (Series IX) categories, the original subdivision between "French" and "English" papers has also been preserved.]
In the course of processing this archive, other writings by Le Ricolais were found among the unsorted notes, sketches, and calculations (Series IV). Those writings which appeared to be complete papers were pulled and moved to Series VIII A ("Unpublished French") or VIII B ("Unpublished English"). The record for each of the moved items includes the identification number of the folder in which it was found, for reference.
Photocopies of many of the writings included in Series VIII and IX can also be found in the 15 bound volumes titled G.Robert Le Ricolais / 1894-1977 only available at the Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania. Among those, "unpublished" French and English articles are cross-referenced as UF #-# [volume number, item number] or UE #-#, respectively; "published" French and English articles are cross-referenced as PF #-# or PE#-#, respectively.
Series X groups the materials published about Le Ricolais, written by other authors. The collection also contains some teaching records, filed under Series VII, of which the student reports mentioned above are also a part; printed materials kept by Le Ricolais but which were neither about him nor his work (Series XI); and a very small number of personal materials, including a 34-page manuscript personal journal and some of his poetry, for the most part offprints of published poems (Series XII).
In addition, two final series group materials which are peripherally related to the collection. Series XIII contains personal papers of Abraham Beer, who was Le Ricolais's business associate and played a role in the latter's patent applications. Series XIV consists of a single document, the "M/P list," which is a master list of most of the structural models in the collection, put together by Professor McCleary at the time of the systematic documenting campaign described above. The identification number ("M/P #") of each model on that list is cross-referenced in the Project Index which appears in Appendix A of this finding aid.
The collection does not include any significant holdings related to the period before 1954. Very little personal correspondence has survived; the great majority of the letters in Series V and VI are purely professional. Series XII Personal Materials contains very few manuscripts and primarily contains financial information related to Le Ricolais's employment at the University of Pennsylvania. The collection contains very few items related to Le Ricolais's artwork or poetry.
The collection contains many photocopies, some made during Le Ricolais's lifetime, others after his death. Le Ricolais seems to have used photocopies as a help in the editing process, annotating copies rather than (or alongside with) the original. In addition, for some of his writings, no original but one or several photocopies have been found; those are filed and counted as if they were originals. Photocopies made during the processing of this archive, for legibility purposes, are clearly marked as archival copies, and although they are filed with the original, they were not counted.
The collection is arranged in 14 series as follows:
- Series I. Structural Models
- Series II. Large-Format Drawings
- Series III. Photographic Materials
- Subseries A. Photoprints
- Subseries B. Large-Format Photoprints
- Subseries C. Negatives
- Subseries D. Slides [and Transparencies]
- Series IV. Notes, Sketches and Calculations
- Series V. Correspondence
- Series VI. Patent Files (applications, notes, and correspondence)
- Subseries A. Early French Patent Files
- Subseries B. Heliport
- Subseries C. Structural Systems [Systèmes de construction]
- Subseries D. Hydraulic Dams and Other Tension Structures [Barrages hydrauliques et autres structures tendues
- Subseries E. Adjustable Tension Structures [Structures à tension réglable]
- Subseries F. Internal Pressure Structures with Adjustable Deformations [Structures à pression interne et à déformations réglables]
- Subseries G. Radar Antennae and Other Tension Structures
- Subseries H. Tension Systems in the Shape of Bodies of Revolution [Procédé de construction]
- Subseries I. Antibuckling Structural Systems
- Subseries J. Aerial Transit System [Système de transit aérien]
- Subseries K. Transmission Towers
- Subseries L. Internal Pressure Bubble Materials For Stressed Skin or Thin-Walled Structures [Matériaux à cavités sphériques pressurisées et Mode d'utilisation]
- Subseries M. Additional French Patent Files
- Subseries N. Mixed Patent and Business Files
- Series VII. Research Proposals, Teaching Records, and Student Reports
- Subseries A. Research Proposals
- Subseries B. Teaching and Lecture Records
- Subseries C. Student Reports and Examinations
- Series VIII. Unpublished Writings, Lectures and Interviews
- Subseries A. French
- Subseries B. English
- Series IX. Published Writings and Interviews
- Subseries A. French
- Subseries B. English
- Subseries C. Whole Issues of Periodicals Containing Articles by Le Ricolais
- Series X. Published and Unpublished Materials about Le Ricolais
- Subseries A. Articles
- Subseries B. News Clippings
- Subseries C. Catalogue and Whole Issues of Periodicals Containing Articles about Le Ricolais
- Subseries D. Miscellaneous Biographical Materials about Le Ricolais
- Subseries E. Bibliographies of Le Ricolais' writings
- Series XI. Published and Unpublished Materials kept by Le Ricolais
- Subseries A. Articles
- Subseries B. News Clippings
- Subseries C. Whole Issues of Periodicals
- Subseries D. Technical Brochures and Information Booklets
- Subseries E. Research Proposals by Colleagues
- Subseries F. Miscellaneous Materials
- Series XII. Personal Materials
- Series XIII. Abraham Beer Papers
- Series XIV. MP List
Materials received by internal transfer from the Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania, via Peter McCleary, circa 1980.
The collection was processed and the finding aid prepared by William Whitaker, Nancy Thorne and Emily Cooperman with the research assistance of Anne Lutun. Work was substantially completed in 2005, with additions and corrections in 2008.
The collection contains many photocopies, some made during Le Ricolais's lifetime, others after his death. Le Ricolais seems to have used photocopies as a help in the editing process, annotating copies rather than (or alongside with) the original. In addition, for some of his writings, no original but one or several photocopies have been found; those are filed and counted as if they were originals. Photocopies made during the processing of this archive, for legibility purposes, are clearly marked as archival copies, and although they are filed with the original, they were not counted.
- Publisher
- University of Pennsylvania: Architectural Archives
- Access Restrictions
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This collection is available for research by appointment only.
- Use Restrictions
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The G. Robert Le Ricolais papers (Collection # 086) are the physical and intellectual property of the Architectural Archives, Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. Copyright to the materials created G. Robert Le Ricolais during his tenure at the University of Pennsylvania is held by the Architectural Archives, Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. Other materials in the collection may be subject to copyright not held by the Archives. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of those rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.
Collection Inventory
Arranged at the object level by date. Includes material and size description (H x W x D). For the soap film structures (S.F.S) the number attributed is for identification purposes only it does not imply a chronology.
Note: Some of the drawings and prints below do not have any project identification. Wherever possible, project names have been supplied in brackets.
The following items are Unsorted notes, sketches, and calculations: the contents of each folder was left undisturbed. As Le Ricolais often annotated letters and other printed or manuscript material. The folders may include correspondence, syllabi, memos, clippings, etc. When identifiable, such materials have been photocopied and the photocopy filed in the relevant series. Manuscripts which appeared complete have been pulled and filed in Series VIII; in each case, a record was made of the folder in which they were found. Contents information is indicative only. Because many of the notes, sketches, and calculations are not immediately identifiable, the folders may contain materials concerning other projects not mentioned in the container list.
Note: Arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Correspondence with government agencies, universities, and businesses is filed under the entity's name, with the names of individual correspondents within the entity in brackets. Personal correspondence on business letterhead is listed under the individual's name. Date ranges are indicative, but folders may contain undated and/or duplicate items. Correspondence on specific subjects may be found throughout the collection.
Some of the patent and business files were organized thematically, by patent application, by Peter McCleary. Because many of the items are not dated, it was not possible to organize the folders chronologically; therefore, the order in which the folders were found has been preserved. Each of the subseries VI.A contains early French patent files for patents obtained prior to Le Ricolais's coming to America. Series VI.B. through VI.L concerns a different patent application and may contain related correspondence, notes, sketches, and calculations. Series VI.M contains other patent and business files which had not been organized previously. Correspondence is organized chronologically and may include copies of patent applications and/or filed amendments to patent applications. Within folders, each subfolder contains papers which were originally clipped together. Each subfolder, which may include letters and enclosures, is counted as one item. Documents on paper prone to fading (early photocopies, thermofax paper) have been photocopied onto archival paper and the archival copies placed together with the item copied. Archival copies are clearly marked as such and were not counted. Large-scale drawings have been moved to Series II. This series contains # photoprints.
Arrangement: Arranged at the object level by date. Photographic materials included: 90 photoprints, 6 contact photoprints, 8 photonegative strips.