The Fourth IIT traces the historical evolution of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), established fourth in the chronological ladder of IITs after the institutes at Kharagpur, Bombay and Madras. The early beginnings of IITK are explored, with the appointment of Dr P. R. Kelkar as its founder - director, its humble commencement in the temporary premises of Harcourt Butler Technological Institute (HBTI) and the initiation of a traditional BTech programme. We see how rapid transformations enabled the institute to introduce and nurture a new academic culture in the country, illustrated by the paradigm shift in higher technical education and the freshness of a new spirit in higher education in general - the spirit of IITK.