K R Y Simha is a Professor at the Mechancial Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. His interests are solid mechanics, fracture mechanics, shock and impact mechanics.

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 of Materials in 1908 (Part I) and 1910 (Part II).

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Address for Correspondence
K R Y Simha
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore 560 012, India.
Email: simha@mecheng.iisc.ernet.in