Column Buckling Theory: Historic Highlights

Historic highlights and milestones are presented to cover the development and application of the Euler formula for buckling strength of a geometrically perfect column together with modifications for inelastic behavior. The latter (nonlinear) behavior may be due either to inherent material properties, such as for a structural aluminum alloy, or due to the presence of residual stresses induced by cooling of hot-rolled shapes. The story of the column formula has had continuity over a 239 year period and can well form the starring point toward a better understanding of the column buckling theory and design.