Plenary Lecture:

Gogu Constantinescu, Son Of Craiova - Romania's Exponent

Professor Gheorghe Manolea
University of Craiova
Centre of Innovation and Technological Transfer CITT
E-mail: ghmanolea@gmail.com

Abstract: The paper presents, shortly, Gogu Constantinescu, his life and his achievements. A model of engineer educated in schools of Craiova and Bucharest, and based on an exceptional mathematical knowledge, he has set the theoretical basis of reinforced concrete buildings and of transmission of mechanical power to distance through oscillations which propagate in continuous environments (liquid or solid) due to their elasticity.
At 45, he was already famous. The British magazine “The Graphycs”, in its issue of January 26th, 1926, mentions him among the 17 most well-known world scientists between 1900-1925, together with Einstein, Lord Kelvin, Marconi and others.

His recognition is also proven by the number of Patents of invention he has obtained:
• in England – 114 patents of invention
• in the USA – 45 patents
• in France – 18 patents
• in Romania – 5 patents

The most prolific field of his technical and scientific activity is the sonicity.
The first application in sonicity was the sonic machine gun.
Gogu Constantinescu won a contest launched by the British Admiralty, and, in august 1916, there were performed the first tests with an airplane equipped with something new that would become the Constantinesco Fire Control Gear or “C.C. Gear” for short.
By the end of the WWI, over 50,000 American and British airplanes were equipped with such systems. As an appreciation of his results, the British government built for Gogu Constantinescu in West Drayton, in 1918, a very large laboratory for researches and practical applications in sonicity, laboratory called “the Sonic Plants”.

In 1961 he was awarded the doctor honoris causa Diploma by the Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest (the former National School of Bridges and Roads, where he had graduated his academic studies).

Conclusion
Gogu Constantinescu’s activity can be a model in the contemporary engineering education as it is based on theory and practical application.

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Name: Gheorghe Manolea
Date and place of birth: 9 March 1948, Deleni, Mehedinti, Romania
Marital Status: Married
University Studies: Technical University Of Petrosani, 1970
Dissertation: A Contribution to Intrinsic Safety protection of the Automation and Telemechanic Elements in Explosive Atmosphere, 1981, Petrosani
Affiliation: University of Craiova, Romania, Faculty of Engineering in Electromechanics and Environment
Didactic Rank: University professor teaching:- Electromechanical Drives, Basics of the creative research
Other functions:
Scientific secretary of the Professors Board of the Electromechanical Faculty 1990-1992
The head of the Electromechanical department since 1992
The head of the Innovation Center and Technological Transfer of Romania since 1992