The Foundation was established in 1986 by the late Dr H Peter Jost CBE.
Peter coined the term “tribology” (from the Greek word “tribo” – I rub) to describe the science of friction, wear, and lubrication – giving birth to a new engineering discipline. In 1966 Jost published a report, commissioned by the government, which showed, for the first time, that the problems of lubrication in engineering were mainly problems of design. Their solutions, Jost argued, needed a range of skills from scientific disciplines other than mechanical engineering – including chemistry and materials science, solid body mechanics and physics. By applying tribology to machine design, Jost and his team calculated that British industry could save £500 million a year as a result of fewer breakdowns causing lost production; lower energy consumption; reduced maintenance costs; and longer machine life.
In 2009, still very active following a successful industrial career, he co-launched the concept of green tribology.
He was President of the International Tribology Council from 1973 and was a founding member of the IMechE Tribology Group from 1966.
During his long and distinguished career Peter was awarded many honours including two honorary Professorships and eleven honorary doctorates. His numerous major international honours include awards from the Heads of State of France, Germany, Poland and Austria. In 2011 the Emperor of Japan conferred the Order of the Rising Sun upon him. In 2013 Peter was awarded the RAEng sustained achievement award.
