50 Years Ago

'The Mathematical Association Annual Conference 1964' — Administrative problems of course loomed very large ... It was easy to fail to appreciate the possible influence of the liberal and cultural qualities of mathematics on sixth formers, who were given opportunities to read round their subject. The learning of mathematics was organic and would grow wherever it was given room; like angling, it could “never be fully learnt” ... It was a sombre fact that nearly 25 per cent of persons entering training colleges in 1962 did not possess a pass at the Ordinary Level of the General Certificate of Education in mathematics ... The discussion from the floor represented the confusion which exists in most teachers' minds as to how one can reconcile teaching logic with geometry, when the only logical way seemed to be to start at the middle, work on establishing the standard results, and then work back and establish the premises ... the discussion had shown that Euclid, instead of being found at fault, had proved himself to be too good for the age group for which we tend to use him. Unfortunately we had found nothing to replace him for this age group.

From Nature 16 May 1964

100 Years Ago

The annual report of the Hampstead Scientific Society ... contains ... a summary of the meteorological statistics for the Hampstead Observatory for 1913 ... For the first time, average meteorological data are included in the report ... From these preliminary averages it would appear that Hampstead is the coldest, rainiest, snowiest, and frostiest, as well as almost the sunniest and foggiest of the stations in the neighbourhood of London.

From Nature 14 May 1914