Abstract
AFTER an engineer's review of the rapid progress in the study of the atom during the last few decades, including the discoveries of the neutron and the splitting of the lithium atom described this year, Sir Alfred Ewing referred to the important contribution of the Association to the advancement of engineering science. Early reports submitted to the Association demonstrated the conspicuous lack of science on the part of early British engineers, and the meagre contributions being made by them to the progress of hydraulics in contrast with the contributions of Italy, France, and Germany. The claim that the British Association by its reports and investigations, its discussions and committees, such as those leading to the establishment of the National Physical Laboratory and international standards for electrical units, has provided an invaluable scientific leaven, few would care to dispute. In his own recollections Sir Alfred Ewing covers the passing of many of the former fairy tales of science into the tissue of everyday life, and in the transition British engineering science has made as important scientific as practical contributions.
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Progress in Engineering Science. Nature 130, 337 (1932). https://doi.org/10.1038/130337b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/130337b0