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A Short History of Mechanics

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Introduction to the Mechanics of Deformable Solids

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Abstract

Mechanics is perhaps the oldest of the scientific disciplines. This is related to the fact that mechanics is essential to the survival of mankind. Indeed, our earliest ancestors were confronted with the need to create shelters that provided protection from the elements of nature. Furthermore, in order to know when to plant crops, they needed to construct calendars. Both of these challenges required the development of mechanics. Other examples of developments that required a knowledge of mechanics included the making of tools. In this chapter, a brief overview is given of the history of mechanics as it relates to the study of deformable bodies, especially solids. The reader will find that the possession of some knowledge of this history will help to elucidate the technical subject matter contained in this text.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX, USA

    David H. Allen

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  1. David H. Allen
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Allen, D.H. (2013). A Short History of Mechanics. In: Introduction to the Mechanics of Deformable Solids. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4003-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4003-1_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4002-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4003-1

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