Karl Terzaghi was the first to elaborate a comprehensive mechanics of soils with his publication

of Erdbaumechanik in 1925. His recognition and formulation of the effective stress principle and
its influence on settlement analysis, strength, permeability and erosion of soils was his most
prodigious contribution. But Terzaghi also pioneered a great range of methods and procedures
for investigation, analysis, testing, instrumentation, and practice that defined much of the field
we currently know as geotechnical engineering. Through his voluminous correspondence with
engineers and scientists, his lifelong devotion to publishing both research findings and
practical experiences, his numerous public lectures, and his authorship of clear and complete
procedures in many engineering reports, Terzaghi disseminated advances in soils engineering
that influenced the entire civil engineering world.
His attitude as a man, an engineer and as a person is what made him become the father of
Geotechnical Engineering. As said on the website, his greatest asset of an attitude is observation.
With it, he questions and theorize. Facing the facts, I could not hope to achieve what he has done
nor do we have the same drive and characteristics as a person and an engineer. But as an aspiring
civil engineer, there is never too late in learning more and honing my skills to be of used in the
field and the upcoming advancement of the world.