Richard Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller July 12, 1895July 1, 1983)was an American architect,
systems theorist, author, designer and inventor.
systems theorist, author, designer and inventor.
Fuller published more than 30 books, coining or popularizing terms such as "Spaceship Earth",
ephemeralization, and synergetic. He also developed numerous inventions, mainly architectural
designs, and popularized the widely known geodesic dome. Carbon molecules known as fullerenes
were later named by scientists for their structural and mathematical resemblance to geodesic spheres.
ephemeralization, and synergetic. He also developed numerous inventions, mainly architectural
designs, and popularized the widely known geodesic dome. Carbon molecules known as fullerenes
were later named by scientists for their structural and mathematical resemblance to geodesic spheres.
Fuller attended Milton Academy in Massachusetts, and after that began studying at Harvard University,
where he was affiliated with Adams House. He was expelled from Harvard twice: first for spending all
his money partying with a vaudeville troupe, and then, after having been readmitted, for his "irresponsibility
and lack of interest.
where he was affiliated with Adams House. He was expelled from Harvard twice: first for spending all
his money partying with a vaudeville troupe, and then, after having been readmitted, for his "irresponsibility
and lack of interest.
Buckminster Fuller recalled 1927 as a pivotal year of his life. His daughter Alexandra had died in 1922 of complications from polio and spinal meningitis just prior to her fourth birthday. Fuller dwelled on her death, suspecting that it was connected with the Fullers' damp and drafty living conditions.[7] This provided motivation for Fuller's involvement in Stockade Building Systems, a business which
aimed to provide affordable, efficient housing.
aimed to provide affordable, efficient housing.
In 1927 Fuller, then aged 32, lost his job as president of Stockade. The Fuller family had no savings to fall back upon, and the birth of their daughter Allegra in 1927 added to the financial challenges. Fuller was drinking heavily and reflecting upon the solution to his family's struggles on long walks around Chicago. During the autumn of 1927, Fuller contemplated suicide, so that his family could benefit from a life
insurance payment.
insurance payment.
International recognition began with the success of huge geodesic domes during the 1950s. Fuller
lectured at NC State University in Raleigh in 1949, where he met James Fitzgibbon, who would become
a close friend and colleague. Fitzgibbon was director of Geodesics, Inc. and Synergetics, Inc. the first
licensees to design geodesic domes.
lectured at NC State University in Raleigh in 1949, where he met James Fitzgibbon, who would become
a close friend and colleague. Fitzgibbon was director of Geodesics, Inc. and Synergetics, Inc. the first
licensees to design geodesic domes.
From 1959 to 1970, Fuller taught at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU). Beginning as an
assistant professor, he gained full professorship in 1968, in the School of Art and Design. Working as
a designer,scientist, developer, and writer, he lectured for many years around the world.
assistant professor, he gained full professorship in 1968, in the School of Art and Design. Working as
a designer,scientist, developer, and writer, he lectured for many years around the world.
Fuller was awarded 28 United States patents and 47 honorary doctorates . In 1960, he was awarded
the Frank P. Brown Medal from The Franklin Institute.
the Frank P. Brown Medal from The Franklin Institute.
Fuller was elected as an honorary member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1967, on the occasion of the
50th year reunion of his Harvard class of 1917 (from which he was expelled in his
50th year reunion of his Harvard class of 1917 (from which he was expelled in his
first year.
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