INVENTOR, LIBERATOR
Fuller's mission: free men
By Karen Henderson
He says he is a "technological aviator" come for the liberation of mankind."
He has been called "first poet of technology," "an anticipator of the world to come," "an inspired child." He has also been called a crackpot.
He is Richard Buckminster Fuller who spoke today at 2 p.m. in "The Prospects for Humanity."
Fuller has designed a waterless bathroom, a three-wheeled car and is best known for the "geodesic dome." The dome can be made of almost anything (polyester, fiber glass, aluminum, plastic) and has been used for houses, in industry and for camping units. In the future it may be used to cover entire cities.
Unlike other domes it is not supported by heavy vaults or flying butresses. It is unlimited as to size, cheap to make and uses less structural material to cover more space than any building devised.
Although the dome is widely used now, Fuller's inventions have not always been accepted.
He once wrote that his ideas "have undergone a process of emergency by emergency. When they are needed badly enough they are accepted. So, I just invent, then wait until man comes around to needing what I've invented.
"In 1927 I made a bargain with myself that I'd discover the principles operative in the universe and turn them over to my fellow man." He decided that "You do not belong to you. You belong to the universe. You and all men are here for the sake of other men."
He felt that the essence of the universe was not matter, but design, and man is a complex of
patterns. Mankind was on the verge of tremendous achievements that were not only being attempted because men were stuck in traditional modes of thinking, he said.
Fuller attended Harvard in 1913 where he cut his midterm exams to go to New York on a spending spree. He was given a second chance at Harvard but did not graduate. In 1917 he married Anne Hewlett.
After the war he worked for a building company, but his troubles mounted. His first daughter died, he began to live wildly and he was in debt. His second daughter was born in 1927 just after he had been fired from his job. It
known, has received numerous awards, written books, and has honorary degrees from eight colleges and universities. He is now a research scholar at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.
was at this point that he decided that he had faith in the fact of his existence. He felt that it was his mission to help man realize his potentialities. "Man knows so much and does so little."
Daily Kansas 11
Tuesday, April 12, 1966
Fuller has since become well-
Come to Tempo Where The Action Is! Happy to serve KU in its 100th Year
Weekdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sundays 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
MALLS SHOPPING CENTER FREE PARKING