This special issue of ZAMP is published to honor Paul M. Naghdi for his contributions to mechanics over the last forty years and more. It is offered in celebration of his long, productive career in continuum mechan ics; a career which has been marked by a passion for the intrinsic beauty of the subject, an uncompromising adherence to academic standards, and an untiring devotion to our profession. Originally, this issue was planned in celebration of Naghdi's 70th birthday, which occurred on 29 March 1994. But, as the papers were being prepared for the press, it became evident that the illness...

This special issue of ZAMP is published to honor Paul M. Naghdi for his contributions to mechanics over the last forty years and more. It is offered in celebration of his long, productive career in continuum mechan- ics; a career which has been marked by a passion for the intrinsic beauty of the subject, an uncompromising adherence to academic standards, and an untiring devotion to our profession. Originally, this issue was planned in celebration of Naghdi's 70th birthday, which occurred on 29 March 1994. But, as the papers were being prepared for the press, it became evident that the illness...