K. Neilands was born on 23 December 1898 in Jelgava. During WWI his family went to Russia. There K. Neilands graduated from Ural’s Polytechnic Institute and obtained the Diploma of Engineer of Metallurgy. He participated in the construction of Magnitogorsk metallurgic plant, and later in its “Marten” facilities. K. Neilands participated in development and production of armoured steel. In 1947 he returned to Riga and became Head of the Department of Metal Technology of Faculty of Mechanics of Latvian State University. He successfully defended his candidate and doctoral thesis. K. Neilands was promoted a professor and elected an associate member of the Academy of Sciences. Professor K. Neilands was the leader of the process of re-establishing Riga Polytechnic Institute. In 1958 he was appointed the first Director – Rector of the re-opened RPI.