This contribution presents an overview of the history of fracture research and its importance in the structural integrity of materials and structures. The struggle of fracture mechanics for recognition as a universally accepted field of science and engineering is highlighted. The role of Professor George R. Irwin, the 'father of fracture mechanics', and his coworkers at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. in fracture research is discussed critically. A series of historical failure cases, where fracture mechanics has been instrumental in explaining the reasons for failure, is described. Many of the ideas on the history of fracture research presented here have been collected by the author during numerous professional and private visits to the Irwin family and a careful study of the private archive of Dr. Irwin during the period 1977-1997.
Technology, Law and Insurance
Volume 2, 1997 - Issue 4
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