Visits:
27th June 2006 Report of Visit to Farnborough Air Sciences Museum
Meetings:
4th July 2006 THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE UNIVERSE
6th Jun 2006 THE FIGHT AGAINST INFECTION (How the challenges were faced)
2nd May 2006 IS IT A REAL REMBRANT (Use of science in forgery detection)
4th Apr 2006 DOMESTIC APPLIANCES (Their development - How they work!
7th Mar 2006 FLIGHT (Principles and development)
7th Feb 2006 HEATHROW TERMINAL 5 CONSTRUCTION
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The Farnborough Air Sciences Museum, established through the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) in 1994, exists to preserve the heritage of the world famous Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), Farnborough. The Farnborough Air Show, started in 1948, continues to thrill.
On 27th June 25 members enjoyed a visit to the museum and its external display of aircraft. Mr Maurice Shakespeare gave an enthralling talk, illustrated with films and slides, in the Trenchard building which also contains museum rooms, a model room, library, etc.
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The Aldershot Balloon Factory, which made balloons for Army aerial spotting, was moved to Farnborough as the Balloon Factory in 1905 and rapidly developed its capabilities and plant which included a covered airship shed. During this period Samuel Franklin Cody, the air pioneer, developed powered flights. Important aircraft research and manufacture underpinned aviation in both world wars and civil aviation.
The RAE, centre of excellence, contributed to all areas of aerospace development including Concorde, using the magnificent 24 ft. low speed wind and supersonic wind tunnels. These are currently objects of preservation for future display. Mr Shakespeare’s presentation was followed by a visit to the museum areas, which included models, engines, photographs and a cockpit flight simulator which was tested with varying success by some of our members! An excellent buffet lunch was provided by Mrs Gwen Moody. Members appreciated the enthusiasm, expertise and courtesy shown by the Trust volunteer staff. Our thanks to them for a great day out.
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If you have broadband (and Windows Media Player) select from video clips of visit below.
Hospitality Museum Suad s' Flight! Aircraft |
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The original “big bang” left an echo of energy detected in the microwave region and indicates some primeval concentration of energy particles from which our current universe has grown.
Many mysteries remain such as the nature of most of the mass in the universe which leads to gravity binding galaxies, etc. The future shape and demise of the universe, with perhaps “recycling” or leaving a dark dead wilderness is not clear. However, not to worry, as in a few billion years the earth will be fried by our sun’s expansion – true global warming! |
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“Defence is the best way to deal with infection and prevention is better than cure.” These were the opening statements by Dr John Williams in his talk “The fight against infection” at our June meeting. Through a well-chosen selection of key benefactors to human well-being John gave an excellent presentation from ancient times to today. |
Smallpox, the scourge of mankind, was known to the Chinese in 1000 BC and reduced by smallpox scab injections. In 1796 Edward Jenner started his foundation work to fight smallpox using cowpox vaccinations, leading to the 1863 Public Health Bill where all children had to be vaccinated. The brilliant Louis Pasteur expounded the germ theory of disease and developed vaccines in the 1880s against anthrax and rabies. In 1980 the World Health Authority declared smallpox eliminated.
Other examples included the identification of cholera as a waterborne disease by John Snow through his work in Soho in 1854. Joseph Lister (1867) showed that wound sepsis was due to bacterial contamination and through carbolic sprays and sterilisation (masks, gloves, etc.) established the basic for modern practice.
Other contributions were cited in the fight against TB and diphtheria. Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin formed the foundation of modern antibiotics and as these have developed the ‘bugs’ have become more resistant (for example, the recent MRSA problems).
It is a fact that the greatest current scourge is malaria, endemic in many parts of the world and killing more people each year than AIDS. Travellers must be aware of such areas and take precautions.
John’s final points were – “Wash your hands whenever you use the loo.” And “complete your course of medication.”
Our May meeting was treated to a master class presentation by Dr Barry Ward under the title of “Is it a real Rembrandt?”
Barry pointed out that Jan Vermeer (1633-75) stated that “As long as there is art there will be forgeries”. Art forms, which in history have been falsely attributed or forged, ranging from Egyptian sarcophagi to statues and paintings, were described. Motives such as need, greed, pleasure, etc. of even brilliant artists such as Michelangelo and Sir Joshua Reynolds in faking or modifying art forms were cited.
Approaches to “fake busting” were highlighted and included provenance (historical background) and scientific analysis. The first key breakthrough in 1896 was the use of x-rays for studying the structure of oil paintings. Also, the wide range of paint compositions, substrates and frames have been characterised by spectroscopy and dendrochronology (the annular ring structure of wood), etc.
Barry mentioned cautionary tales such as that about a Rembrandt judged firstly as authentic, then as a fraud and then, in 2006, as genuine. Salvador Dali is the most forged artist. The Flower portrait of Shakespeare was shown by spectroscopy to be a genuine “19th century Del Boy” production!
As Barry warned, “caveat emptor” and showed that art and science at the deepest levels are truly complementary
Ralph challenged the group as to what they felt were the most useful home devices. Many answers came, such as electric kettles, vacuum cleaners and washing machines. Electric light bulbs were suggested and this was supported in the illustrated talk which followed.
The rapid growth of modern home appliances over the last eighty years has depended on the huge expansion in energy generation and distribution. Brief historical accounts of the early developments of gas for industrial and domestic lighting (essential for the 24 hour production required for the industrial revolution) were followed by the later innovative developments in electrical power installations and supply systems. The impetus given when Edison and Swan introduced incandescent electric lighting ensured the rapid growth of modern appliances using electricity. Gas cookers and lighting still held sway in many areas until the 1900s when electricity began to be available in the home. Vacuum cleaners became available from 1907 (Hoover) and washing machines from 1910 (Maytag). The refrigerator, its development and physics of operation indicated the value of engineering, science and technology working in harmony.
This will be followed at a later date by a talk on later appliances, e.g. microwave cookers, television sets and computers, etc.
In his March talk Pierce mentioned the yearning of mankind from the earliest times to be able to fly like birds. Early pioneers, Leonardo da Vinci and the first hot-air balloon flights by the Montgolfier brothers were cited. The ‘physics of flight’ was covered in illustrative details showing how a huge Boeing 747 at 350 tons could fly at 560 m.p.h. for many hours.
The early pioneers lacked the aerodynamic understanding which gradually developed after Sir George Cayley (1773 – 1857) founded the science, and established the basic configuration of the modern aircraft. The Wright brothers were shown to have been the first true ‘heavier than air’ flying machine innovators. This involved many trials, and historical success was achieved on 17th December 1903 when the Wright Flyer achieved, firstly with Wilbur and then with Orville, successful, true powered flights. As Pierce commented in his excellent, illustrated notes; “Magnificent men in their flying machines”.
| Heathrow Terminal 5 construction, its aesthetic engineering and impact on the public was the theme for our meeting on 7th February. The many and huge aspects of this development were presented with complete mastery of all the details by Keith Lang, Building Services Fit-out Manager. |  |
The sheer scale of the project in the vicinity of the daily operations at Heathrow is staggering. The need to divert rivers, build and control access roads, tunnels and railway networks alone was demanding enough, apart from providing the huge power demands. However, the new building, designed by Lord Rogers for BAA, has required huge design, engineering, materials and logistical innovations. 30 million passengers a year will be expected when the terminal becomes operational. 9 million tons of earth were excavated, 17,000 tonnes of steel used in the enormous roof span, and 35,000 m² of glazing for the 400 x 80 x 40 m building. The elegant new central control tower will be 87 m high and weigh 1,000 tonnes.
Keith explained how computer 3D designing was vital to allow the outplacement of the huge numbers and types of large components to be built (e.g. in shipyards), transported to the site and accurately integrated into a total system. The means by which the public will enter and move through all the necessary stages before embarking on their flights were detailed.
In all, this was a splendid account and a British project which we should be proud of.
