Robert Byron Bird

R. Byron Bird was a famous American Chemical Engineer born on November 23, 1930. He was a prominent figure in the Chemical Engineering world due to his immortalized contributions to the field of Transport Phenomena and Chemical Engineering Education.  

Bird completed his Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, and bagged his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He had even held position s of teaching and research throughout his academic life. 

One of his most valuable contributions was of him being the co-author of the widely used textbook, "Transport Phenomena" (which Chemical Engineers still use to this very day). This book was written alongside Warren E. Stewart and Edwin N. Lightfoot, and was published back in 1960, but still stands very useful to students and professionals around the globe to this day. The book is considered revolutionary for revamping the Transport Phenomena teaching by having a systematic approach to the subject. The book covers the fundamental principles of heat and mass transfer, momentum, fluid behavior and transport processes. 

His research and contributions in these subjects reaped him plenty of accolades, such as the National Medal of Science. 

Bird was also a valuable member of society; by mentoring students ad being an educator. Robert is a true prodigy in the world of Chemical Engineering for revolutionizing it with multiple approaches and contributing to it via his research, and efforts to enhance the quality of education in the discipline.