A Commentary on the Draft Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel in Buildings. Discussion

From the earliest times wise men have said there is nothing new under the sun. This statement may seem an exaggeration when applied to human conceptions, yet a study of some of the innovations shows that in many cases the main idea which guided the inventor had already been considered by one or other of his predecessors whose researches had failed to reach completion through lack of materials or other circumstances. We contemplate the history of inventions in a spirit of humility, mingled with pity for the lost efforts of so many would-be inventors. Henrie Lossier

This month's letters discuss foundations in shrinkable ground and highlight a survey on structural optimisation in practice.

Shalini Jagnarine-Azan describes how the impact of a heating planet is already being felt by islands in the Caribbean, and discusses the challenges of trying to build back more resiliently following a disaster.