"At any point on a surface, there are two principal radii of curvature that uniquely define the surface. Of all the curves on the surface that can be drawn through the point, the two principal radii of curvature will be the maximum and minimum that can exist at the point. The maximum radius of curvature for a is infinity, while [its] minimum is the radius of the circle..."
January 1, 1970
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thin-shell_structure