Contribution of Estonian Architect Karl Tarvas (1885–1975), a Graduate of Riga Polytechnic Institute, to Estonian Housing During the Interwar Period

Riga Polytechnicum (RP) / Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI) was the only higher education institution in the territory of the present Baltic States where it was possible to obtain higher technical education in the 19th century and early 20th century. Well-known Estonian architects, engineers and industrialists also studied there. Karl Tarvas (1885–1975), a famous Estonian architect, studied at RPI from 1906 to 1915. His creative heritage significantly influenced and shaped the architecture of Tallinn and its suburbs in the 1920s and 1940s. During the Interwar period in the Republic of Estonia, K. Tarvas deliberately chose to improve the living conditions of the less affluent population by designing standard wooden buildings, which we now know as the Tallinn House (Estonian: Tallinna maja). This research provides an insight into the study years of K. Tarvas and critically evaluates his professional activity. K. Tarvas was one of the founders of Riga Estonian Students’ Society (Estonian: Riia Eesti Üliõpilaste Selts; REÜS) established in 1909, which united Estonian students at RPI. He also was among the creators of the Estonian Association of Architects (Estonian: Eesti Arhitektide Ühing) in 1921. His three sons Paul, Peeter and Pärtel also chose the profession of an architect, Peeter Tarvas (1916–1987) was the most prominent of the three.

Valerijs Bitenieks – From a Student of Riga Polytechnic Institute to a Construction Contractor in the Independent Latvia

A paper on Valerijs Bitenieks, a graduate (1986) of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering of Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI), reflects on the daily life of the Soviet students in the 1980s, the work of a young engineer while he was trying various opportunities in the labour market and the engineer’s growth as a successful contractor in the independent Latvia in the 21st century. It traces the life of V. Bitenieks from his childhood to the present day, paying attention to his professional activities. The research provides an insight into students’ internships and extracurricular activities during the Soviet era. Unpublished photographic material unknown to the general public has been obtained.

Activities of Āgenskalns Gymnastics and Sports Society and Its Headquarters at 7 Baldones Street

Āgenskalns Gymnastics and Sports Society was one of the largest and best-known Baltic-German sports organizations in the first half of the 20th century. Sports enthusiasts of various professions, including engineers, participated in the activities of this society. The house built by the Society in 1910 at 7 Baldones S treet, Riga, which has been rebuilt several times, played an important role in the sports life. The research presents comprehensive documentary evidence about the Society until the repatriation of the Baltic- Germans in 1939 and the history of its headquarters building. Using the documents and press materials from the Latvian State Historical Archive (LSHA) of the National Archives of Latvia (NAL), archive documents of the Riga Construction Board, as well as the collection of the Latvian Sports Museum, previously unknown facts have been revealed.

Versatile Pedagogical and Social Activities of a Graduate of Riga Polytechnic Institute Jānis Stiprais (1870–1946)

The research discusses continuous effort of a pedagogue, economist and journalist Jānis Stiprais (1870–1946) in his pursuit to obtain education and his versatile pedagogical activities in Tomsk (Russia), Tukums, Valka and Riga, as well as the contribution he made in such areas as journalism, folklore and social work. J. Stiprais shared his knowledge of economics gained at Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI) with the students at the University of Latvia (UL), Latvia People’s University and Vilis Olavs Commercial School; in the first half of the 20th century he was the principal of educational institutions in Tukums, Valka and Riga, he also was one of the signatories of the Memorandum of the Central Council of Latvia on 17 March 1944. In the recognition of J. Stiprais merit for Latvia, he was honoured with the highest award of the Republic of Latvia – the Order of the Three Stars.

Some Previously Relevant Aspects of Academic Life: Venia Legendi and the Status of a Private Docent in the World and in Riga Polytechnicum (1862–1896)

The study examines the status of a private docent, the academic position which was introduced across the world in the 18th century and which also existed in Latvia from the second half of the 19th century until the end of World War II. The status of the private docent as it used to be understood in Latvia is compared with other countries, mainly considering German-type universities. Definition of the terms «venia legendi» and «private docent» providing examples of academic activity of the lecturers of Riga Polytechnicum (RP) allow considering these concepts from various perspectives in order to make their meaning and usage in the previous centuries transparent for the users in the 21st century. Conducting the present research, the author has used archival documents and library collections, the theoretical framework includes the findings of not only the Latvian scientists, but also researchers from Russia, Germany and other countries.

Professional and Social Activities of Engineer Jānis Jagars (1894–1970)

The research reveals facts about the family of engineer Jānis Jagars (1894–1970) and the versatility of his work in the 20th century. He studied at Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and stayed in Russia during World War I. After returning to Latvia in the beginning of 1919, he graduated from the Baltic Technical University (BTU; Baltische Technische Hochschule, also Baltic Higher Technical School), which was established on the basis of RPI. J. Jagars participated in the activities of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers’ Party (LSDWP), which supported his becoming the Head of the Riga City Construction Board. After the coup organized by Kārlis Ulmanis (1877–1942) he was arrested, then – released, after which he headed an engineering office. In June 1940, he joined the government headed by Augusts Kirhenšteins (1872–1963), where he held the position of Minister of Transport. He evacuated to the Soviet Russia during World War II. After the war, J. Jagars was an Assistant Professor at the State University of Latvia (SUL) and worked in various construction design institutes.

Riga Technical University Conference and Sports Centre «Ronīši»

In 1958, when the Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI) was renovated, the idea arose to create a sports and recreation camps, as well as a health camps for students, where after sessions they could relax and compete in various sports. RPI was one of the first Latvian higher education institutions to establish such bases. For the first time, the article summarizes and describes the development of the Riga Technical University (RTU) Conference and Sports centre «Ronīši» from the 1960s to the present day.

Development of Inventors’ Activities in Latvia: Inventors’ Societies, Exhibitions, Patents and the Rationalizers’ Movement

The article introduces inventors’ activities and inventors’ societies in Latvia in the 18th century, when it was part of tsarist Russia, until 2019. There is only one study on inventors’ activities, which includes the interwar period. There are many engineers among inventors, and this study reflects the participation of students, graduates and lecturers of Riga Polytechnicum (RP), Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Riga Technical University (RTU) in inventors’ activities. The research provides an insight into the history of protection of inventions, inventors’ activities, international exhibitions of inventions and innovations, activities of inventors’ societies.