Centenary of Charpy tests

The article is devoted to the centenary of publications of G. Charpy, which considerably contributed to expansion of impact bend tests - the Charpy te sts. It outlines the state in knowledge about the material properties and t heir testing around the year 1900. It presents Charpy's findings, which sti mulated the introduction of a new material characteristics "impact toughnes s" as "an active resistance against the failure of thin cross section" of t he test bar expressed by the energy absorbed for breaking the test bar. The re are mentioned the Charpy's recommendations for design of test equipment based on a pendulum hammer, as well as for the dimensions and shape of the notched test bar.