Shot Peening Pioneer Dies at 81

Author:  Shot Peening Staff
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 3 / Issue 1, Spring 1989
Doc ID:  1989076
Year of Publication:  1989
Abstract:  
Henry O. Fuchs, internationally known expert on fatigue in materials, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Stanford University Hospital following heart surgery. He was 81. A Stanford professor of mechanical engineering since 1964, Fuchs and John Almen of General Motors pioneered the process known as shot peening, where metal parts are bombarded with thousands of pellets. This process has been widely used to strengthen car bodies, springs and engines. It also led to the use of aluminum wings in B-52 bombers and other aircraft. Between 1936 and 1978, Fuchs obtained 24 patents for shock absorbers, steering linkages, power take-off mechanisms, car doors, coil springs and shot peening devices.