Robert (Bob) Carlisle started with Metro in the cutting rooms in 1922 and joined Cosmopolitan Productions in 1924. From 1925 to 1932 he was associated with Universal, and in 1933 became editor-in-chief for Columbia. In 1935 he teamed up with Jerry Fairbanks to found Scientific Films, Inc, of which Carlisle was secretary-treasurer, and personally edited all film produced for the three series of Paramount shorts.

Fairbanks' and Carlisle's Popular Science releases depict the latest advances in the world of science, chemistry and other fields, while their Unusual Occupations, the first of which was produced in 1937, present the everyday hobbies of normal Americans. In 1941 Paramount released the first Speaking of Animals novelty short. The production technique of these subjects is a combination of animal and trick photography whereby animals speak. This is the first time, it is said, that animation has been incorporated as an integral part of a live subject and is only possible because of the Duoplane process perfected by Fairbanks.

Carlisle's hobby was amateur radio and he owned a powerful transmitting and receiving station. Previous to the outburst of war, he used it to line up new material and for checking with correspondents all over the world.