The Oberlin College ("Collegiate Institute" before 1850) physics department traces its origins to the early mathematics and natural philosophy offerings in the collegiate curriculum of the 1830s. From 1890 to 1910 physics instruction was given by the department of physics and astronomy, an adjunct branch of mathematics. In 1910 a separate chair in physics was created.

Reverend George Whipple (1805-1876) served as the first instructor of mathematics and natural philosophy from 1838 to 1847. When Whipple resigned his post to become the first secretary of the American Missionary Association, he was followed by James H. Fairchild (1817-1902). Fairchild taught from 1847 to 1859 before becoming the third president of Oberlin College.

During the tenure of Charles H. Churchill (1824-1904), from 1859 to 1897, physics began to gain a measure of autonomy from the mathematics department. Elisha Gray (1835-1901),a pioneer in telephone technology, served as a faculty member and guest lecturer during Churchill's tenure. Churchill presided over two relocations, moving from Colonial Hall to French Hall in 1868, and from French Hall to Peters Hall in 1887. In 1890 the department of physics and astronomy was created as a separate branch of mathematics. Churchill was succeeded by Charles E. St. John (1857-1935), who taught from 1897 to 1908 prior to leaving for Mt. Wilson Observatory in Pasadena, CA. St. John also worked with Albert Einstein proving the theory of relativity.

In 1910 a separate chair of physics was created. The position was filled by Samuel R. Williams (1879-1955) who taught from 1908 to 1924. The position of assistant professor of physics was created and filled by several instructors from 1910 to 1924. Otto Koppius (1889- ) served as assistant professor from 1920 to 1924, departing the same year as Williams.

In 1924 the vacancies in the physics department were filled by Lloyd William Taylor (1893-1948) and Carl Ellis Howe (1898-1968). Taylor and Howe were appointed as professor and acting associate professor, respectively. Taylor specialized in optics, and Howe concentrated on X-Ray technology. The department continued to expand in the 1920s. Forrest Glenn Tucker (1892-1976), a specialist in photoelectricity, joined the staff in 1926. Over the next several decades these three physicists became the backbone of a physics department which became one of the top undergraduate sources of successful Ph.D. candidates in the nation (15 Oberlin College Physics graduates went on to earn the Ph.D. in physics between 1936 and 1945). In 1942 the Wright Physics Building was erected, and it was occupied by the department in 1943. During this period the physics department offered the M.A. degree to students preparing for advanced careers in physics.

World War II expanded the need for physics instruction. In conjunction with the Navy V-12 program on the Oberlin campus, additional instructors were added to meet the increased demand. A number of visiting professors helped to meet the additional teaching load. From 1943 to 1945 the physics department had three regular members, and five visiting instructors. In 1948 Lloyd W. Taylor died unexpectedly during a vacation, leaving the department short-handed. David L. Anderson was brought in during 1948, and Thurston L. Manning in 1949.

From the beginning the course offerings were designed to meet the needs and interests of those who desired first-hand acquaintance with quantitative science as well as those studying in the humanities and social sciences. The department underscored both the importance of science as part of a liberal education and the preparation of students for careers in physics, engineering, secondary school teaching, and other careers in which a background in physical science is valuable. For students interested in teaching physics, the department offered an M.A. in physics education.

The postwar physics department continued to expand and accommodate new fields of specialization. The scientific initiatives spawned by the Cold War-Sputnik era fueled a surge in federal research. Grant monies (private and public) enabled the department to invest in new equipment and technology. In 1964 the department received an IBM 1620, the first major computer on campus. A separate Oberlin Computer Center was created in 1965 headed by Robert Bushnell (b. 1935). The computing center shared space with the physics department before moving to the Houck Computing Center in 1973.

The department grew significantly during the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s. Six new professors joined the department during this period, and the number of new courses doubled by 1970. Among the professors appointed during this period were: W. Bruce Hawkins (1957), Robert Weinstock (1959), Joseph N. Palmieri (1961), Robert Edson Warner (1965), Walter Bruce Richards (1967) and Joseph L. Snider (1969). Many of these professors remained in the department guiding its fortunes through the 1980s.