Title
Document titled 'Some engineering aspects of the Winfrith Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor'.
Reference
YA1999.39/1/39
Production date
18-05-1967 - 18-05-1967
Creator
- Institution of Mechanical EngineersBiographyBiography
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) was established in Birmingham in 1847 with the purpose of giving "an impulse to invention likely to be useful to the world". Its work over the years has included administration of professional membership, administration of exams and issue of qualifications, and supporting the recognition of mechanical engineering through the Engineering Heritage Awards.
The Institution’s first meetings were held at the Queen’s Hotel in Birmingham, with larger Ordinary Meetings held at the Philosophical Institution’s lecture theatre, located on Cannon Street. Although the IMechE entered into a year-long lease for holding Council meetings in the Temple Buildings, more room was needed. The Secretary, William Prime Marshall, found premises that provided residential accommodation for himself, plus a meeting room, library and an additional room for the Institution’s use. The IMechE signed a three-year lease on 54 Newhall Street, Birmingham.
The Institution held its first London meeting in 1851 at the Society of Arts’ Adelphi Rooms. The Newhall Street building remained the permanent base for the Institution for 14 years, with Ordinary Meetings being held at the Midland Institute. In 1871, the IMechE’s Council formed a committee to look into building an entirely new house, where all meetings could be held. The committee considered three potential sites in Birmingham, but finally recommended refurbishing the existing leased building in Newhall Street or constructing a new building on land at the corner with New Edmund Street. This work did not take place and, in 1877, the IMechE moved to London.
In London, the Institution occupied rented premises at No 10 Victoria Chambers for 20 years. In 1895, the IMechE’s Council set up a House Committee to build new headquarters on land purchased by the Institution at Storey’s Gate, near St James’s Park. Disputes with neighbours meant that work on the building did not begin until 1897. Construction took two years and the building was officially opened on 16-17 May 1899.
During the First World War, the Office of Works and the National Relief Fund took over the IMechE headquarters. The IMechE moved into 11 Great George Street as tenants of Armstrong, Whitworth & Company.
At the start of the Second World War, the IMechE moved out of London to The Meadows at Bletchworth, Surrey. In July 1940, the military requisitioned The Meadows and the IMechE moved back to Storey's Gate in London.
During the Second World War, the IMechE headquarters acted as a meeting place not just for the Institution, but for other bodies including the Royal Netherland Institution of Engineers, the Association of Polish Engineers in Great Britain and the Society of Engineers and Technicians of the Fighting French Forces. Government departments also made use of the building, and in January 1943, a group of senior REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) used the building to plan the mechanical engineering support for Operation Overlord and the invasion of Normandy.
In 1975 a new office was opened in Bury St Edmonds, with the relocation of several departments. This office closed in 2004.
The IMechE continues to represent professional engineers under its mission statement of "Improving the world through engineering".
- United Kingdom Atomic Energy AuthorityBiographyBiography
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) was formed in 1954 under the Atomic Energy Authority Act when the British Government set up a new body to oversee the nation’s nuclear research programme. The role was to provide Britain’s atomic weapons deterrent and develop reactor technologies for the nuclear power stations of the future. The UKAEA are a public government organisation.
The UKAEA was responsible for the development of fusion energy and took part in the JET (Joint European Torus) project, developing the world's most powerful fusion device.
The UKAEA has several research programs and facilities, such as the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE), the Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) facility, the Materials Research Facility, Oxfordshire Advanced Skills, and Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP).
UKAEA is currently headquartered at Culham Science Centre in Abingdon in Oxfordshire, UK.
Scope and Content
Document titled 'Some engineering aspects of the Winfrith Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor'. A symposium in London arranged by the Nuclear Energy Group of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, in association with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.
Physical description
The condition of the material is good.
Language
English
Level of description
ITEM
Repository name
Science and Industry Museum
Subject
Mechanical engineering
Electrical engineering
Nuclear energy
Engines
Nuclear power plants
Conditions governing access
Open access.
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions.