Gibbs Brothers Medal
About the Gibbs Brothers Medal
Awarded for outstanding contributions in the field of naval architecture and marine engineering. Established through the Gibbs Brothers Fund by gift of William Francis Gibbs and Frederic H. Gibbs.
Most Recent Recipient
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Jerome H. Milgram received the 2017 Gibbs Brothers Medal. Over his 50-year career, Milgram has made countless contributions to naval architecture in areas such as theoretical hydromechanics, education, yacht design, environmental protection, and the practical arts of ocean systems.
During the 1980s, Milgram made numerous important practical contributions to the safety of the U.S. naval forces, including studies into the dynamics of extreme tension in open-ocean towing, which are now in use worldwide. He also played a vital role in educating the Navy’s ship design managers and program officers.
Also in the realm of safety, Milgram was one of the early pioneers in the development of equipment for the cleanup of oceanic oil spills. His research also played an important role in our understanding of how oil slicks are dispersed by ocean waves and turbulence, as well as on the hydrodynamics of oil-water interfaces. SCOOP, one of his 12 patented oil-spill cleanup technologies used at offshore oil ports, was an outgrowth of larger systems that he designed and supervised construction of for the United States Coast Guard. His work in this field also delved into the hydrodynamics of gas-liquid plumes above offshore wells and the performance of offshore platforms during well-blowouts.
In addition, Milgram’s yacht-design work helped to lead eight America’s Cup design teams to championships. For the 1992 AC campaign, Milgram was the design director and chief computer modeler. Read more about Milgram's work»
Recipients:
Jerome H. Milgram (2017)
For wide-ranging original contributions to naval architecture in theoretical hydromechanics, education, yacht design, environmental protection, and the practical arts of ocean systems.
Read more about Milgram's work»
Watch Milgram's acceptance speech»
Robert G. Keane, Jr. (2012)
For continued excellence as a naval architect over many years, exemplified by the outstanding naval warships that he had a major part in designing, helping to make the U.S. Navy the most powerful in the world.
Keith W. Tantlinger (2009)
For his visionary and innovative design of the cellular container ship and supporting systems that transformed the world's shipping fleet and facilitated the rapid expansion of global trade.
Donald Liu (2006)
For first introducing finite element techniques into ship design and being the driving force behind the revolution in basing classification society rules on scientific principles.
Alfred C. Malchiodi (2003)
For leading innovations in developing the naval architecture of submarines for the efficient utilization of advanced technology.
Edward E. Horton (2001)
For visionary and innovative concept development and design of off-shore platforms, mooring systems, and related technology that have significantly influenced development of deep-water operations.
Justin E. Kerwin (1999)
For his outstanding contributions in the field of naval architecture, including the development of computational methods used worldwide in propeller design.
William B. Morgan (1997)
For his technical leadership in improving performance, quieting, and design of advanced marine propulsion systems, and development of large modern propulsion research and testing facilities.
Owen H. Oakley (1995)
For his significant contributions to the field of naval architecture, especially in the design of naval ships, submarines, and advanced ship types and submersibles.
Olin J. Stephens II (1993)
For his design of outstanding sailing vessels, including six defenders of the America's Cup and thousands of ocean-racing yachts, and for promoting the use of scientific knowledge and research in the field of naval architecture.
Bruce G. Collipp (1991)
For his invention of the semisubmersible, offshore, floating drilling platform, and for his sustained pioneering leadership in devising innovative ocean-engineering technologies.
Leslie A. Harlander (1988)
For his pioneering effort in the design of specialized vessels and cargo-handling equipment associated with intermodal shipping by container systems.
Matthew Galbraith Forrest (1979)
John Charles Niedermair (1976)
For his outstanding contributions to the field of naval architecture and marine engineering.
Phillip Eisenberg (1974)
For his work that is the basis of much of what is known about hydrofoils and how ships move smoothly.
Henry A. Schade (1970)
For his outstanding contributions in the design, construction, and performance of ships.
Alfred Adolf Heinrich Kiel (1967)
For his outstanding contributions in the field of naval architecture and marine engineering.
Frederick Henry Todd (1965)
For his contributions to the theory of ship design through model experiments, and for his leadership in hydrodynamic research.
