Introduction

From the Ancient Egypt to the Computer Era

Contact and related phenomena occurring at the interface of two bodies are encountered at every step of everyday life, in nature and in engineering. They are so common, that usually one does not think about them, despite the fact one takes advantage of their effects. For instance, such a common activity as walking does require frictional contact between shoes and a floor. Similarly, without friction no vehicle would move, no nail would hold to a wall, all objects on even little inclined surfaces would slide down.