The aim of the historical reviews is to improve our understanding of the origins of the key technical methods, which have evolved to become the foundations of the contemporary soil mechanics and earthquake engineering. We present new and summarize the published information, to understand the creational component in the development of these methods. We study the historical conditions preceding and during the formative period, and cite references which include the biographical sketches of the key players. Our goal is to document and to analyze the steps, which result in the occurrence of the creative process. Knowing about the scientists helps understand the wellsprings of their inventions, and sheds light on the role played by the human factor. Describing their education, interests, and life experience, helps future generations learn about the advantages of rigorous classical education.
This historical review, written on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the formulation of the concept of the response spectrum method (RSM), presents a short history of the conditions that contributed to the creation of the RSM. It describes the key players and the vibrational nature of the method that Maurice Biot chose in 1932 to describe the earthquake response of structures. It also briefly discusses the contemporary role of the RSM.