50 Years Ago

This year is the bicentenary of the granting of patents for two inventions which played a crucial part in making Britain the most important nineteenth century industrial power. In 1769, James Watt patented his separate condenser, which proved to be the greatest single improvement ever made in steam engines, and Richard Arkwright patented his spinning machine, which, strictly speaking, was … a successful exploitation of a much earlier machine which never quite worked. To mark the occasion, the Science Museum in London has arranged a characteristically subdued exhibition of the two original patents … a little biographical material … and eight or nine cases containing recent and contemporary models and drawings of Watt’s work and Arkwright’s original spinning machines.

From Nature 19 July 1969

100 Years Ago

With the view of honouring some of those who helped to win the war … the North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders held a Victory meeting … Lady Parsons read a paper on women’s work in engineering and shipbuilding during the war. … There is no doubt that many women developed great mechanical skill and a real love of their work. The engineering industry is again barred to women by an agreement made between the Treasury and the trade unions … The meeting agreed with Lady Parson’s condemnation of the Labour party, which, while demanding full political equality for women and their right to sit in the House of Lords and to practise at the Bar and as solicitors, will not grant to women equality of industrial opportunity.

From Nature 17 July 1919