Elastic stability: from Euler to Koiter there was none like Koiter (Q5935626)

This paper is a tribute to Professor W. T. Koiter -- the giant of modern theoretical and applied mechanics and undoubtly recognized as the father of the modern theory of elastic stability. The Ph.D. dissertation submitted by Koiter in 1945 to the Delft University of Technology and entitled ``Over de stabiliteit van het elastisch evenwicht'' was the most significant contribution in the field of elastic stability. It took about two decades for other workers in the area of solid mechanics to realize the directions outlined in this important work. The dissertation was translated into English, and the research in elastic stability flourished. The author had the opportunity to work closely with Prof. Koiter. Together with the history of the question, he narrates here a few salient features of Prof. Koiter's personality. Mathematically, the theory of elastic stability was initiated by Leonhard Euler. However, according to the author, one thing is above dispute: from Euler to Koiter there was none like Koiter. The reviewer enjoyed reading this paper, and strongly recommends it to those who are working in the field of elastic stability.