Charles R. Mischke was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering (1964-1992) at Iowa State University. He received his B.S. (1947) and M.M.E. (1950) in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and his Ph.D. (1953) in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He also served as an Assistant and Associate Professor (1953-1957) at the University of Kansas and as Professor and Chair (1957-1964) of mechanical engineering at the Pratt Institute in New York. Mischke gained expertise in machinery, kinematics, stochastics of steel, reliability of design, and engineering design methodology. This collection contains biographical information, correspondence, course information, news clippings, publications and writings, and copies of Mischke's vita. Topics of the publications and writings include trends in engineering education, stochastics of steel, and reliability in machine design.

Charles R. Mischke was born March 2, 1927. He received his B.S. (1947) and M.M.E. (1950) in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and his Ph.D. (1953) in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin. Before arriving at Iowa State, Mischke was Assistant Professor (1953-1956) and Associate Professor (1956-1957) of mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas and served as Professor and Chair (1957-1964) of mechanical engineering at the Pratt Institute in New York.

Mischke joined the staff of Iowa State University as Professor (1964-1992) of mechanical engineering. He also served as Division Leader (1972-1982) of the Machines and Systems Unit in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Upon his retirement Mischke was named Professor Emeritus (1993). Mischke researched and gained expertise in machinery, kinematics, stochastics of steel, reliability of design, and engineering design methodology.

Mischke was also the author of a number of technical reports and books on machine design and mathematical modeling. One of these books, Standard Handbook of Machine Design (call no. TJ230 S8235 1986) which he edited with Joseph Shigley, won the Award for Outstanding Book in Engineering and Technology (1987) from the Association of American Publishers.

Mischke received numerous awards for his efforts in engineering research and education. He received the Ralph Coats Roe Award (1991) from the American Society for Engineering Education, the Machine Design Award (1990) from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Outstanding Teaching Award (1980) from Iowa state University, the Faculty Citation (1979) from the ISU Alumni Association, and the Ralph R. Teetor Award (1977) from the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Following his retirement Mishcke continued to live in Ames. He passed away on September 10, 2016.

The collection (1963-1993, undated) contains biographical information, correspondence, course information, news clippings, publications and writings, and copies of Mischke's vita. Files containing correspondence and documentation related to honors and awards received by Mischke as well as course information, faculty improvement leave grants, and presentations can be found in the collection. Also, copies of several technical reports and writings by Mischke are available in the collection and still others can be found by searching the library catalog.

The collection is organized in alphabetical order.