The Hydrogeologist Time Capsule
Records and reflections of some eminent hydrogeologists of our time
C.V. Theis: Full interview by John Bredehoeft
To view this video you need JavaScript enabled and the latest Adobe Flash Player installed.
Download the free Flash Player now.
Location : Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Date of record : 13 Nov 1985
Date of publication : 10 Jan 2008
Date of record : 13 Nov 1985
Date of publication : 10 Jan 2008
- Presentation
- Through a discussion with John Bredehoeft, C.V. Theis recalls the early days of hydrogeology at the US Geological Survey. Together, they take a journey through Theis’ major discoveries, discussing their context, and the roles of the other important people that were involved at that time (Hubbert, Wenzel, Jacob, Meinzer, Thiem, etc.). We discover Theis’ personality in detail and he shares with us many professional and private anecdotes and stories that punctuated his life.
- Credits
- Interview: John Bredehoeft, Camera and direction: Ben Jones
- Sponsors
- US Geological Survey
- About Charles Vernon Theis
In 1935, Charles V. Theis published a brief article that was the first transient solution for groundwater flow toward a well. He did so by understanding the vital analogy between groundwater flow and heat transfer. As John Bredehoeft says: “It takes real genius to see the basic form of the underlying theory - this was Theis' contribution’’. Today, the Theis transient pump test solution is used by all hydrogeologists for well test interpretation. It is one of the many consequences of his discovery. The Theis legacy is not limited to the transient theory. He was one of the first scientists to emphasize the importance of geological heterogeneity. Further information about Theis’ life and discoveries is available in the references provided below.