As it has turned out, I have been associated with the Journal of Elasticity, beginning as Editorial Board member, since its inauguration in September, 1971. Marvin Stippes, Professor of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the University of Illinois was the founding Editor-in-Chief and his appointed board consisted of 23 members, none of whom remain connected with the Journal at this time, except for me, as Editor-in-Chief. Upon the death of Marvin Stippes in April of 1979, Don Carlson and Richard Shield, both inaugural members of the board and also Professors of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the University of Illinois, jointly carried out the responsibilities as chief editor until April, 1982, when Don singly assumed the position. He remained as chief editor until January 1998, when he decided to step out of the position, but continue to be a member of the editorial board. I was then appointed as Editor-in-Chief. The Journal had published 50 volumes at that time, and it has surpassed 150 at present as it celebrates its 52nd year of existence. To enhance growth, as the Journal needed to stretch into broader areas of solid mechanics, the title was changed in 2000 to “Journal of Elasticity: and the Physical Science of Solids”, and in 2002 to “Journal of Elasticity: The Physical and Mathematical Science of Solids”, which is now its name.

I have just finished my 24th year as Editor-in-Chief and 52nd year since I joined the editorial board, and it is time to retire. I cannot say that I am happy about this event as I will greatly miss the activity, excitement, adventure and all that came to me as I opened and perused the so many submitted research papers over the years in the field of mechanics—a field to which I have been professionally dedicated since my days of exposure as a graduate student at Brown University in Applied Mathematics in 1959–1961 and the coincidental stellar growth of continuum mechanics and thermomechanics that persisted in the following years. My responsibilities as chief editor have been amenable over the years because of the excellence of the appointed editorial board members, all of whom have remained dedicated to the Journal and have maintained personal reputations as excellent researchers and contributors to the field of mechanics. Their presence, their care and concern about improving the research environment, and their thoughtful review recommendations have been instrumental in maintaining the quality reputation of the Journal, without doubt and with many thanks. Another important relationship that has contributed significantly to the growth in scholarship and reputation of the Journal of Elasticity is the long-term association that I have had with Nathalie Jacobs, Executive Publisher/Engineering & Applied Sciences at Springer Nature. She has been a steadfast supporter of the Journal and has provided an environment in which the quality of published papers could be emphasized and maintained even when faced with the inherent publishing house pressures to increase the quantity of output. I have really appreciated that special level of confidence and autonomy provided to me from her and the resultant contribution she has made to the mechanics research community with her empathetic understanding.

Now, Eliot Fried, an editorial board member for the past 22 years, will continue as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal. He surely will carry on with the interest and intensity of always seeking improvement for the Journal, along with its continued growth in scholarship, breadth and depth. He has a fundamental appreciation for quality in research and he will present the Journal as a major supporter and disseminator of research papers at the cutting edge of discovery. He is aware and appreciates much of what is going on in mechanics research outside of his special interests and he recognizes the importance of providing opportunity for young promising researchers and budding stars from diverse backgrounds without prejudices. He maintains a strong base of professional principles, he is socially aware and he understands human desires. I am convinced that he and Nathalie Jacobs will develop the same mutual respect and professional level of communication that has flourished and been so positively instrumental for the past years. He has my best wishes as he leads the Journal to loftier research aims and goals.