Herbert J. Plagge was born in Barrington, Illinois, on July 14, 1884, to John C. and Sophia Nordmier Plagge. He received his B.S. (1906) from Northwestern University and his M.A. (1910) from the University of Wisconsin. He joined the Physics Department at Iowa State College (University) in 1909 as Instructor and was promoted to Assistant Professor (1915-1918) and Associate Professor (1918-1965).

Professor Plagge was a dedicated instructor, teaching physics to sophomore engineering students for 57 consecutive years before his retirement in 1965. His main research interests lay in acoustics and sound insulators. During World War II, he served as Acting Physicist (1942) at the Des Moines Ordnance Plant near Ankeny, Iowa.

Plagge married Selma M. Torgler in 1911. Mrs. Plagge was an accomplished musician and taught piano and harmony as a member of the Iowa State music staff (1918-1921). Together they had two children: Herbert and Doris. Plagge died at his home in Ames on May 1, 1972.

This collection (1910-1972, n.d.) contains materials related to Iowa State physics professor Herbert J. Plagge. The papers cover his time as professor of physics. The collection includes biographical information, correspondence, photographs, and materials related to several campus organizations.

For related materials see the Selma Plagge Papers, RS 13/17/63, who was Herbert Plagge's wife and also Instructor (1918-1921) of music at Iowa State.

The collection is arranged with biographical information filed first and alphabetically thereafter.