Leo Charles Peters was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering (1961-1996) at Iowa State University. He received his B.S. (1953) in agricultural engineering from Kansas State University and both his M.S. (1963) in mechanical engineering and his Ph.D. (1967) in mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics from Iowa State University. Peters also served as a consultant to industry specializing in design analysis, inspections, investigations, and failure analysis and was an expert in product safety and product liability issues. This collection (1960-1996) contains biographical information, correspondence, a presentation on teaching engineering design students about product liability issues, and materials related to the Ralph R. Teeter Award.

Leo Charles Peters was born on September 21, 1931, in Smith County, Kansas. He received his B.S. (1953) in agricultural engineering from Kansas State University and both his M.S. (1963) in mechanical engineering and his Ph.D. (1967) in mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics from Iowa State University. Prior to becoming a professor, Peters served as an officer (1954-1956) in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and as an engineer (1953-1954, 1956-1961) in the John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works.

Peters was hired as an Instructor (1961-1964) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University. He was promoted to Assistant Professor (1964-1968), Associate Professor (1968-1978), and Professor (1978-1996). Peters was an outstanding academic advisor and was especially adept at helping foreign and minority students achieve their academic goals. Peters also served as a consultant to industry specializing in design analysis, inspections, investigations, and failure analysis. He was an expert in product safety and product liability issues.

Peters was very active in the Society of Automotive Engineers and was the recipient of the Ralph R. Teetor Award (1983). He was also named Outstanding Faculty Advisor (1970) by the Society. Peters was also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.

Peters married Suzanne Gordon in 1957. They raised nine children.

This collection (1960-2007) contains biographical information, correspondence, a presentation, and materials related to the Ralph R. Teeter Award. The biographical information includes news clippings, a copy of Peters' vita, and materials for an award nomination. The correspondence is mostly related to Iowa State administrative matters of concern to Peters such as his promotions and awards. The presentation by Peters is concerned with the need to better emphasize government safety standards, product performance, and liability issues when training engineering design students.

The collection is organized in alphabetical order.