Harry Bolton Seed was a renowned engineer and academic recognized internationally for his expertise in
soil behavior during earthquakes. Born in England in 1922, he pursued higher education at London
University and Harvard, where he studied soil mechanics. He joined the faculty at the University of
California, Berkeley, where he played a crucial role in establishing the university's geotechnical
engineering department. Seed's pioneering work included contributions to pile-soil interaction and,
notably, the creation of geotechnical earthquake engineering in 1960. He consulted on earthquake-
resistant structures, investigated major disasters, and developed design procedures to enhance safety.
His achievements earned him the National Medal of Science in 1987 and left a profound impact on
earthquake engineering and geotechnical science.
Albert Caquot (1881-1976) was a distinguished French engineer known for his contributions to
aeronautics, civil engineering, and military engineering. He designed stable military balloons, crucial for
reconnaissance in World War I, and advanced concrete construction techniques for bridges. Caquot's
expertise in military engineering was valuable during both world wars, contributing to fortified
structures. He held a professorship at École Polytechnique, received numerous honors, and remains
highly regarded in engineering and aviation for his enduring innovations in these fields.
Henry Philibert Gaspard Darcy
Henry Darcy (1803-1858), a French engineer and scientist, is renowned for his formulation of Darcy's
Law, which revolutionized the study of groundwater flow and fluid dynamics. This fundamental principle
describes how fluids move through porous materials and remains a cornerstone of hydrogeology. Darcy's
insights also improved public health through better water supply and sanitation systems, while his
expertise in fluid dynamics influenced civil engineering projects, especially in water management and
infrastructure design. His legacy endures in the fields of hydrogeology, fluid dynamics, and civil
engineering.
George Howard Darwin
Sir George Howard Darwin (1845-1912), an English astronomer and mathematician, made enduring
contributions to celestial mechanics and our understanding of gravitational interactions among celestial
bodies. As the second son of Charles Darwin, he was born into a family of scientific eminence. George
Darwin's pioneering work included investigations into the evolution of the Earth-Moon system and the
tidal forces that influence it. His theories, often referred to as "Darwin's Tidal Theories," explained the
effects of tidal friction on Earth and the Moon, elucidating phenomena such as the Moon's gradual
recession from Earth and changes in Earth's rotation rate. Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in
1879 and later serving as its President, Darwin received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical
Society in 1892, underscoring his impact on the field. His insights remain integral to modern astronomy
and geophysics, shaping our understanding of the dynamic behaviors of celestial bodies.
