The Rolt Memorial Lecture 2018: Science and Engineering at War in Orkney

Initially conceived as a contribution to a conference which was to have been based in Caithness and was to have included a visit to Orkney, this paper examines the scientific and technological background to some of the wartime remains associated with the defence of Scapa Flow, the Royal Navy’s principal fleet anchorage in home waters in World Wars I and II. Summarising the surviving evidence of selected aspects of vessel-related, marine and aerial science and engineering around Scapa Flow, it is prefaced by a short account of Tom Rolt’s own wartime career, and concludes with a comparative appreciation of his place in the pantheon of literary engineers.     

The Geoff Egan Memorial Lecture 2012

Abstract

Archaeological excavations since 1994 have been uncovering the remains of James Fort in Virginia, the initial site of England’s Jamestown colony, established in 1607. Recovered from closely dated contexts that are associated with documented historical events, the material culture is revealing new and interesting information about the early settlement. The objects reflect the colonists’ interaction with the Virginia Indians, the activities of specialists sent to turn New World resources into profit for the colony’s investors, as well as the choices that individuals made as they transported domestic goods across the Atlantic.     

The Rolt Memorial Lecture 2017: Conserving the Waterways Heritage

ABSTRACT

This article describes the work of the Canal & River Trust in managing and conserving the heritage assets and the wider historic environment of the Trust's waterways in England and Wales. Various types of heritage assets are described, and the ways in which these assets are managed, including via archaeological recording, along with conservation-led repairs to historic engineering structures and other historic waterway-related buildings, are considered. New directions that offer effective and efficient ways of dealing with heritage assets are examined.     

The Rolt Memorial Lecture, 1978 Sir Humphry Davy: His Life and Work

Abstract

Sir Humphry Davy, a largely self-taught genius of humble birth, made major contributions to the development of chemistry, physics, geology and natural history in the early nineteenth century. Much of his research was directly beneficial to various industries principally agriculture, mining and metallurgy, electro-chemicals and leather processing. He is best remembered for his miners' safety lamp and the story of its development forms the core of this paper.     

The Rolt Memorial Lecture, 1994 Engineering Works in Rural Areas

Abstract

The Rolt Memorial Lecture for 1994 takes as its theme rural engineering works, with several of which Tom Rolt was himself involved. The article considers the location and sites of these works: their labour force: and the range of their products. It concludes with several case studies of engineering works in Hampshire and Dorset.     

The Rolt Memorial Lecture, 1979 The Old Furnace at Coalbrookdale,Shropshire

Abstract

The decision of Allied Ironfounders Ltd in 1950 to clean and make use of the area of the buried (Old Furnace) in the Upper Works at Coalbrookdale revealed the extent and condition of the remains. Clearance for measurement and photography was followed by a recognition of the importance of the site and the decision was taken for its preservation. Clearance revealed a problem particularly of a high ground water level and some of the most important features, early foundations and structures were cleared up while regulating this deep drainage. Much structural stabilization was done and the perennial problem of the preservation of ironwork encountered. A small museum was added to illustrate 250 years of the Coalbrookdale Company.     

The Rolt Memorial Lecture 2004: Landscape with Writers: Engineering and the Industrial Landscape in English Literature

Abstract

The National Trust is creating an Energy Centre based on the work of Williiam George Armstrong at Cragside in Northumberland. A focal point of the Centre is the Burnfoot Powerhouse, the first phase of which was built in 1886 to house an early hydroelectric plant for incandescent lighting. The Powerhouse expanded over the years to meet the growing electrical needs of Cragside and various generating units were installed. These have now been restored by the British Engineerium to illustrate the story of electricity supply on the site. This paper describes the development of Burnfoot between 1886 and 1945 and points out the importance of Cragside in the history of hydroelectricity and incandescent lighting.     

Industry,Science and Politics

Abstract

Today industry is much criticized for its lack of responsibility – for fast cars, for side-effects of drugs and for the dangers of nuclear power. However, industry means mass production and mass consumption, essential for the high standard of living enjoyed in Europe. To achieve progress in society, industry must show enlightenment in addition to using the results of scientific research. In this the media have an essential role to fulfil. At present the societal system is too specialised and interdisciplinary scientists must take the lead in bridge-building between industry, science and politics, as interdisciplinary engineers have done within BMW.     

从科学到政治:全球变暖问题的历史演变

国际社会在对待全球变暖问题上经历了从科学回应到政治回应的发展过程。一方面,全球变暖科学理论的发展为国际气候科学界达成有关共识提供了基础,同时为政治家的政治决策提供了相关的科学背景知识,从而为全球变暖问题在20世纪80年代的政治化创造了必要的前提条件。另一方面,国际社会对全球变暖问题的政治回应过程反映了更为复杂的国家集团间的利益矛盾,主要包括南北矛盾和北方内部的矛盾,它们的妥协和合作是确保温室气体减排成功的关键因素。     

The Rolt Memorial Lecture, 1983 Our Debt to Roman Engineering: The Water Supply of Lincoln to the Present Day

Abstract

Lincoln was one of the four colonia of Roman Britain and therefore intended to serve as an example of cultured urban life to the surrounding region. A good water supply was essential in Roman towns but Lincoln, stand above the 200ft contour, could not receive a normal gravity fed system. This paper examines the archaeological evidence for the water supply to Roman Lincoln and looks at how the problem was solved in later generations. Dr Lewis argues that a comparison of the solutions to engineering problems of even the distant past and the present is an important aspect of industrial archaeology.