Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Stephen P. Timoshenko and his books
Stephen Prokofyevich Timoshenko (1878‐1972) is often referred to as the father of applied mechanics in the United States. He wrote seminal works in the areas of engineering mechanics, elasticity and the strength of materials, some of which are still in regular use. His accomplishments in the field of applied mechanics and his influence in engineering education are still felt today. During his tenure at Stanford, he brought together an internationally renowned faculty that served as a magnet to students and scholars from all over the world.
Timoshenko has authored some of the most extraordinary books in the history of technical literature. First hand experience of life in a rustic setting initiated Timoshenko's bold and critical appraisal of engineering education. His restlessness and discontent with the educational system extant in Russia at that time motivated the young Timoshenko to venture out to explore, examine and assimitate diverse pedagogical views and cultures of France, Germany and England. Thanks to his tormented spirit and his early appointment as an instructor at the Kiev Polytechnic Institute, Timoshenko took the plunge to writing his maiden Russian classic, Strength ofMaterials in 1908 (Part I) and 1910 (Part II).
This book made history after Timoshenko emigrated to America and published the English version in 1930. The impact of this publication was so dramatic and immediate that it was simultaneously translated into Czech, French, Japanese, Portugese, Spanish and many more languages. Interestingly, the updated English version was also translated into Russian!
A similar story repeated with his book for a course on elastic theory published in Kiev and Petersburg between 1909-1916. The English version with J M Lessels appeared in 1925 while they worked at Westinghouse.
Publishing history repeated again with his second English book, Vibration Problems in Engineering with Young. This book was translated into many languages. The genesis for this book perhaps came from Timoshenko's first American job of balancing machines for the U S Navy.
This missionary zeal of Timoshenko for writing books for improving teaching and for guiding practical engineers has played a key role in uplifting technical education worldwide, but more emphatically in America. A sublime feature of Timoshenko's books is the generous citation of papers, books and reports published all over the world sometimes suppressing references to his own work. In fact, most of his books emanate a raw energy of original writing virtually extinct today. Timoshenko tackled difficult problems in his own characteristically eminent teachable and learnable style.
Obviously, writing books like Timoshenko did require great amount of time and energy but above all an ascetic attitude without any consequent attachment to fame and fortune. Writing like Timoshenko also means enormous reading in different languages, interacting with teachers, students and colleagues; and, travelling to meet and discuss with eminent scientists.
Finally, and perhaps more intriguingly alien to the increasingly western world, Timoshenko revived the ancient eastern wisdom of disassociating himself with his own books and associating the names of his students! Today it is somewhat disconcerting to see the legendary name of Timoshenko appear second!
Books by Timoshenko
Vibration Problems in Engineering, D. Van Nostrand Company, 1st Ed. 1928, 2nd Ed. 1937, 3rd Ed. 1955 (with D. H. Young)
Theory of Elasticity , McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1st Ed. 1934, 2nd Ed. 1951 (with J. N. Goodier)
Engineering Mechanics, with D.H. Young, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1st Ed. 1937, 2nd Ed. 1940, 3rd. Ed. 1951, 4th Ed. 1956
Theory of Plates and Shells , McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1st Ed. 1940, 2nd Ed. 1959 (with S. Woinowsky-Krieger)
Theory of Structures, with D. H. Young, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1st Ed. 1945, 2nd Ed. 1965
Advanced Dynamics, with D. H. Young, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1948
History of The Strength of Materials, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1953
The Stephen P. Timoshenko Collection:
The books in this collection were given to Stanford University by Dr. Timoshenko in the late 1950s. His personal library encompassed over 2400 volumes covering his study of the history of mechanics. Dr. Timoshenko built relationships with experts all over the globe and this unique position is reflected in the variety of materials in the collection. The books on display in the Terman Engineering Library represent the majority of his collection; however a number of particularly rare or fragile items are housed in the Special Collections Department of the University Library.
Timoshenko also wrote two other books, Engineering Education in Russia and As I Remember (his autobiography).In 1957 the American Society of Mechanical Engineers established a medal named after Stephen Timoshenko.
He became its first recipient. The Timoshenko Medal is given annually for distinguished contributions in applied mechanics.
Dr. Timoshenko was elected a member of 17 Academies and scientific societies throughout the world, including the National Academy of Sciences (USA), Royal Scientific Society of Great Britain, and the USSR Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Timoshenko studied for his first degree in Russia at the Institute of Engineers of Ways of Communication. He also did advanced studies in Germany at the Munich Polytechnic Institute and at the University of Göttingen, from which he graduated in 1905. He was awarded 10 gold medals for his scientific merits: two medals in Russia before 1917, three in the USA, one in France, one in Belgium, one in England and the James Watt International Medal which is awarded every five years to the most outstanding engineer in the world. He received honorary doctoral degrees from many universities.
Monday, July 9, 2018
PHYSICS BOOKS
The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Volume-1 Mainly Electromagnetism and Matter
 |
DOWNLOAD |
Description:
“The whole thing was basically an experiment,"
Richard Feynman said late in his career, looking back on the origins of
his lectures. The experiment turned out to be hugely successful,
spawning publications that have remained definitive and introductory to
physics for decades. Ranging from the basic principles of Newtonian
physics through such formidable theories as general relativity and
quantum mechanics, Feynman's lectures stand as a monument of clear
exposition and deep insight.
Timeless and collectible, the
lectures are essential reading, not just for students of physics but for
anyone seeking an introduction to the field from the inimitable
Feynman.The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Volume-2 Mainly Electromagnetism and Matter
 |
DOWNLOAD |
Description:
“The whole thing was basically an experiment,"
Richard Feynman said late in his career, looking back on the origins of
his lectures. The experiment turned out to be hugely successful,
spawning publications that have remained definitive and introductory to
physics for decades. Ranging from the basic principles of Newtonian
physics through such formidable theories as general relativity and
quantum mechanics, Feynman's lectures stand as a monument of clear
exposition and deep insight.
Timeless and collectible, the
lectures are essential reading, not just for students of physics but for
anyone seeking an introduction to the field from the inimitable
Feynman.
The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Volume-3 Quantum Mechanics
 |
DOWNLOAD |
Description:
“The whole thing was basically an experiment,"
Richard Feynman said late in his career, looking back on the origins of
his lectures. The experiment turned out to be hugely successful,
spawning publications that have remained definitive and introductory to
physics for decades. Ranging from the basic principles of Newtonian
physics through such formidable theories as general relativity and
quantum mechanics, Feynman's lectures stand as a monument of clear
exposition and deep insight.
Timeless and collectible, the
lectures are essential reading, not just for students of physics but for
anyone seeking an introduction to the field from the inimitable
Feynman.
Fundamentals of Physics Extended by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker
 |
DOWNLOAD |
Description:
The 10th edition of Halliday’s Fundamentals of Physics
building upon previous issues by offering several new features and
additions. Examples include a new print component will revised to
conform to the Version 5 design chapter sections organized and numbered
to match the Concept Modules Learning Objectives have been added
illustrations changed to reflect (and advertise) multimedia versions
available in WileyPLUS and new problems provide a means of assigning the
multimedia assets.
The new edition offers most accurate, extensive
and varied set of assessment questions of any course management program
in addition to all questions including some form of question assistance –
including answer specific feedback – to facilitate success. The text
also offers multimedia presentations (videos and animations) of much of
the material that provide an alternative pathway through the material
for those who struggle with reading scientific exposition. Furthermore,
the book includes math review content in both a self-study module for
more in-depth review and also in just-in-time math videos for a quick
refresher on a specific topic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)