Fuller, R. Buckminster
R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983), an American inventor, architect, engineer, mathematician, poet, and cosmologist who is best known for his invention of the geodesic dome—a structure constructed of lightweight bars forming a grid of polygons. The geodesic dome combines the structural advantages of the sphere (which encloses the most space within the least surface and is strongest against internal pressure) with those of the tetrahedron (which encloses the least space with most surface and has the greatest resistance against external pressure).
The geodesic dome is energy efficient because it requires less building materials, has less surface area, and heat loss due to wind turbulence is minimized. Fuller was an early proponent of the use renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and wave energy, which he incorporated into his designs. He claimed that "there is no energy crisis, only a crisis of ignorance."
Further Reading
American Masters: R. Buckminster Fuller (PBS Online)
Buckminster Fuller Institute
RBF Dome NFP: Preserving the only geodesic dome Bucky called home