Abstract
THE closing days of October have witnessed two highly interesting and important functions in the educational life of Birmingham. The former of these events was the visit of Sir Robert Hadfield on October 30 to the-Metallurgical Society of the University of Birmingham to receive the Thomas Turner Gold Medal and to deliver an address on “The History and Progress of Metallurgical Science and its Influence upon Modern Engineering.” In presenting the medal the Principal of the University, Mr. C. Grant Robertson, stated that about three years ago a Birmingham manufacturer, desirous of commemorating the valuable work done by Prof. Turner in metallurgy, generously presented a sum of money to the University to found a Thomas Turner gold medal. The donor stated that it was his express wish that the medal should only be awarded to such persons as had rendered eminent service to metallurgy. In Sir Robert Hadfield they had a man who was not only the head of a large firm of world-wide reputation, but one who was also a fellow of the Royal Society, eminently distinguished by his own metallurgical researches. The authorities were perfectly unanimous in deciding that the first award of the medal should be made to him. Mr. Grant Robertson then handed the medal to Sir Robert, who, after expressing his deep appreciation of the honour conferred upon him, delivered his address. More than three tons of exhibits were on view, and the address was illustrated with lantern slides and a series of unique cinematograph pictures. One slide was particularly impressive. It showed Sir Robert's own motor car together with a 4½ inch projectile. It was pointed out that the car, when travelling at the rate of 60 miles per hour, possessed exactly the same energy as the small projectile on leaving the gun with a velocity of noo feet per second. The cinematograph pictures were likewise highly instructive. They included, by special permission of the Directors of Artillery and Naval Ordnance respectively, pictures of the loading and firing of a 15-inch gun. This type of gun, which was used largely during the War, weighs 97 tons, is 57 feet in length, and carries a projectile weighing 1910 Ib. At full elevation and with a muzzle velocity of 2500 foot seconds, the range is 20 miles.
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F., J. Scientific Activities in Birmingham. Nature 112, 705–706 (1923). https://doi.org/10.1038/112705a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/112705a0