Hodgkinson, Eaton (1789–1861)

English civil engineer who introduced scientific methods of measuring the strength of materials. From a theoretical analysis, he devised experiments to determine the strongest iron beam, which resulted in the discovery of what is known as ‘Hodgkinson's beam’.

Hodgkinson was born in Anderton, Cheshire, and became a pawnbroker. He presented a number of scientific papers to the Literary and Philosophical Society in Manchester, and in 1847–49 was a member of a Royal Commission to inquire into the application of iron to railway structures. Also in 1847 he was appointed professor of the mechanical principles of engineering at University College, London.

Hodkinson's paper ‘The transverse strain and strength of materials’ 1822 dealt with the ‘set’ or the original position of a strained body and the position it assumes when the strain is removed. He fixed the exact position of the ‘neutral line’ in the section of rupture or fracture and made it the basis for the computation of the strength of a beam of given dimensions.

Hodgkinson helped civil engineer Robert Stephenson in the construction of the Menai and Conway tubular bridges by fixing the best forms and dimensions of tubes.