Bill Robinson’s 81st Birthday

“There’s only one rule, and that is ‘Try, try, try,’” said Dr. William Robinson, widely hailed as one of New Zealand’s most versatile and accomplished scientists. Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Wellington-based guest artist Jez Tuya, celebrates the inventor of the “quake breaker,” a lead-rubber bearing that is still used to protect large buildings from seismic waves, preventing earthquake damage.

Born on this day in 1938 into a working-class family, Robinson went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Auckland University. In 1974, Robinson designed a device made from rubber and steel with lead at its core, intending to fit his invention to the foundations of large structures in order to isolate them from ground movements.

Robinson’s invention is now used on many buildings and bridges around the world, including Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the device saved many lives at Christchurch Women’s Hospital, as the building’s foundation swayed gently instead of collapsing in the quake.

In 1995, Robinson founded Robinson Seismic, a company specialising in isolation technology. He also pursued research in other fields, including high-temperature superconductivity. A fellow of New Zealand’s Royal Society, in 1998 Robinson received the Rutherford Medal, his country’s most prestigious science and technology award. In 2014, the Robinson Research Institute was established in his honor at Victoria University in his hometown of Wellington.

“I’ve invented more devices which have failed than devices which have been a success,” said Robinson in a 2007 interview. “You’ve gotta be willing to actually try and fail and learn from your failure.”

Thanks to an innovator who never stopped trying—and whose work will continue saving lives for many decades to come. 

Guest Artist Q&A with Jez Tuya

Today's Doodle was created by Wellington-based guest artist Jez Tuya. Below he shares his thoughts on the making of the Doodle:

Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?

A: Dr. Bill Robinson's work in seismic engineering may have saved countless people's lives in earthquakes all over the world, in buildings where his LRBs are installed. As a fellow New Zealander, I think his work and legacy in engineering ought to be celebrated and remembered.

Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project?

A: I felt greatly honored when Google approached me to do this project. I didn't know much about Dr. Robinson and his work until recently.

Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle?

A: I did a lot of reading, looking at pictures of the device Dr. Robinson developed, and pored over some schematics of the device that were available online.

Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A: You don't need to be world-famous to make a big impact in the world.

Early concepts and drafts of the Doodle