Theodore von Kármán: The Consummate Educator

The eminent Hungarian-born engineer had unusual impact on the field of education not only because of his innate brilliance but also because of two strong beliefs that he held. First, he was convinced from an early period in his life that there was an urgent necessity to establish contact between engineers and scientists through applied mechanics and applied mathematics. Second, concerned by the lack of a regular exchange of information and ideas between engineers and scientists of different nationalities, he was dedicated to the goal of establishing international organizations; among his achievements in this arena is the International Academy of Astronautics.