Hideo Shima
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese engineer and the driving force behind the building of the first bullet train (Shinkansen
).
Shima was born in Osaka in 1901, and educated at the Tokyo Imperial University, where he studied engineering. His father was part of a group of officials that had built up Japan's emerging railroad industry.
) in 1925, where, as a rolling-stock engineer, he designed steam locomotives. Using new techniques to balance the driving wheels and new valve gear
designs, he helped design Japan's first 3-cylinder locomotive - the Class C53, which was based on the Class C52 imported from USA.
Shima also participated in the design and fabrication of a standard automobile which was mass-produced when World War II
broke out. This experience helped in the rapid growth of the Japanese automobile industry after the war.
The Hachiko Line derailment
in 1947 was a turning point in his career. JGR used the opportunity to obtain permission from SCAP
to modify all wooden passenger cars (approximately 3,000 were in use then) to a steel construction within a few years.
Shima was also involved in the design and development of the Class C62 and Class D62 steam locomotives for express passenger trains and heavy-duty freight trains, respectively. It was during these years that he came up with an innovation that would later be employed in the bullet trains -- the use of trains driven by electric motors in the individual rail cars, rather than by an engine at the front ("distributed-power multiple-unit control systems").
As Shima's career progressed, he became the head of the national railway's rolling stock department in 1948. But, after the establishment of Japanese National Railways
in 1949, a train fire at a station in Yokohama
that killed more than 100 people in 1951 led him to resign in the Japanese tradition of taking responsibility. He worked briefly for Sumitomo Metal Industries
, but was asked by Shinji Sogō
, the president of JNR, to come back and oversee the building of the first Shinkansen
line, in 1955.
In addition to its innovative propulsion system, the shinkansen also introduced features like air suspension and air-conditioning. Shima's team designed the sleek cone-shaped front from which the bullet train got its name. The cost of the first Shinkansen line also cost Shima his job.
The building of the first line, which needed 3,000 bridges and 67 tunnels to allow a clear and largely straight path, led to such huge cost overruns that he resigned in 1963, along with the president, Shinji Sogō, who had backed Shima's ideas, even though the line proved to be popular and well-used
(NASDA), where he pushed the development of hydrogen engines to power rockets. He retired in 1977.
by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, and the James Watt International Medal
(Gold) by the British Institution of Mechanical Engineers
.
Hideo Shima is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Shinkansen
The , also known as THE BULLET TRAIN, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of of lines with maximum speeds of , of Mini-shinkansen with a...
).
Shima was born in Osaka in 1901, and educated at the Tokyo Imperial University, where he studied engineering. His father was part of a group of officials that had built up Japan's emerging railroad industry.
Career in Japan National Railways
Hideo Shima joined the Ministry of Railways (Japanese Government RailwaysJapanese Government Railways
The Japanese Government Railways was the national railway system directly operated by the central government of Japan until 1949. It is a predecessor of Japanese National Railways and the Japan Railways Group.- Name :...
) in 1925, where, as a rolling-stock engineer, he designed steam locomotives. Using new techniques to balance the driving wheels and new valve gear
Valve gear
The valve gear of a steam engine is the mechanism that operates the inlet and exhaust valves to admit steam into the cylinder and allow exhaust steam to escape, respectively, at the correct points in the cycle...
designs, he helped design Japan's first 3-cylinder locomotive - the Class C53, which was based on the Class C52 imported from USA.
Shima also participated in the design and fabrication of a standard automobile which was mass-produced when World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
broke out. This experience helped in the rapid growth of the Japanese automobile industry after the war.
The Hachiko Line derailment
Hachikō Line derailment
The was a major fatal railway accident which occurred on 25 February 1947 between and stations on the Hachikō Line in Japan. It was the worst railway accident to occur in Japan since World War II....
in 1947 was a turning point in his career. JGR used the opportunity to obtain permission from SCAP
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers was the title held by General Douglas MacArthur during the Occupation of Japan following World War II...
to modify all wooden passenger cars (approximately 3,000 were in use then) to a steel construction within a few years.
Shima was also involved in the design and development of the Class C62 and Class D62 steam locomotives for express passenger trains and heavy-duty freight trains, respectively. It was during these years that he came up with an innovation that would later be employed in the bullet trains -- the use of trains driven by electric motors in the individual rail cars, rather than by an engine at the front ("distributed-power multiple-unit control systems").
As Shima's career progressed, he became the head of the national railway's rolling stock department in 1948. But, after the establishment of Japanese National Railways
Japanese National Railways
, abbreviated or "JNR", was the national railway network of Japan from 1949 to 1987.-History:The term Kokuyū Tetsudō "state-owned railway" originally referred to a network of railway lines operated by nationalized companies under the control of the Railway Institute following the nationalization...
in 1949, a train fire at a station in Yokohama
Sakuragichō train fire
The occurred on April 24, 1951, when a 63 series Keihin Railway train approaching Sakuragichō Station in Yokohama hit a loose overhead wire causing a short circuit and starting a fire which killed 106 people and injured 92.-Accident:...
that killed more than 100 people in 1951 led him to resign in the Japanese tradition of taking responsibility. He worked briefly for Sumitomo Metal Industries
Sumitomo Metal Industries
is a company with seat in Osaka, Japan. )It is the third largest integrated steel manufacturer in Japan withthree integrated steelworks and several other manufacturing plants.It is one of the largest manufacturers of Seamless Pipes and Tubes,...
, but was asked by Shinji Sogō
Shinji Sogō
was the fourth president of the Japan National Railways and is credited with the creation of the first "bullet train" - the Tōkaidō Shinkansen.Shinji Sogo graduated from the Faculty of Law at Tokyo Imperial University in 1909, and joined the Railway Agency...
, the president of JNR, to come back and oversee the building of the first Shinkansen
Shinkansen
The , also known as THE BULLET TRAIN, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of of lines with maximum speeds of , of Mini-shinkansen with a...
line, in 1955.
In addition to its innovative propulsion system, the shinkansen also introduced features like air suspension and air-conditioning. Shima's team designed the sleek cone-shaped front from which the bullet train got its name. The cost of the first Shinkansen line also cost Shima his job.
The building of the first line, which needed 3,000 bridges and 67 tunnels to allow a clear and largely straight path, led to such huge cost overruns that he resigned in 1963, along with the president, Shinji Sogō, who had backed Shima's ideas, even though the line proved to be popular and well-used
Post JNR Career
In 1969, Shima began a second career, becoming the head of the National Space Development Agency of JapanNational Space Development Agency of Japan
of Japan, or NASDA, was a Japanese national space agency established on October 1, 1969 under the National Space Development Agency Law only for peaceful purposes...
(NASDA), where he pushed the development of hydrogen engines to power rockets. He retired in 1977.
Awards
Hideo Shima was honored by the Government of Japan when the Emperor presented him with the Order of Cultural Merit. As one of the most prominent engineers in post-war Japan, he has also been awarded numerous international prizes and honors, including the Elmer A. Sperry AwardElmer A. Sperry Award
The Elmer A. Sperry Award is an American transportation engineering prize.It has been given since 1955 for "a distinguished engineering contribution which, through application, proved in actual service, has advanced the art of transportation whether by land, sea, or air"...
by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering....
, and the James Watt International Medal
James Watt International Medal
The James Watt Medal is the name of two awards named after Scottish engineer James Watt, both awarded for excellence in engineering:-James Watt International Gold Medal of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers:...
(Gold) by the British Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is the British engineering society based in central London, representing mechanical engineering. It is licensed by the Engineering Council UK to assess candidates for inclusion on ECUK's Register of professional Engineers...
.
Hideo Shima is survived by two sons and a daughter.