Some aspects of the variational principles problem in elasticity

We give a brief survey of the subject, from a personal point of view. An attempt has been made to clarify historical and motivational aspects, in particular with reference to the differences between infinitesimal and finite elasticity, and with reference to implicit or explicit moment equilibrium considerations. The writing of this paper was occasioned by the preparation of an Opening Address for the Second International Conference on Variational Methods in Engineering, 17–19 July 1985, at the University of Southampton, England.