Design of superconducting machines by A. D. (Anthony Derek) Appleton. Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of London, 1977. Relates to the research undertaken with the first superconducting electric motor (Inv. No 1987-1158) developed in 1966 by the International Research & Development Co. Ltd. Inscribed and signed on flyleaf. 253 pp.; illustrated (some color); 30 cm. bound.

Materials relating to repetition of the "Cavendish experiment" by C. V. (Charles Vernon) Boys, 1855-1944. Items include: technical drawings regarding Boys' repetition of the Cavendish experiment, some with annotations; original sketches of the apparatus used by Boys; 3 notebooks kept by Boys during the repetition; a portfolio of result traces, summaries of results, notes, etc.; observations; 18 black and white photographs of apparatus used in repeating the experiment; and a ms. note to Mr. Hill of the So. Kensington Museum regarding the experiment apparatus and radiomicrometer (1900). Also includes the first series of observations by H. E. Hadley regarding Boys' repetition of the experiment. 1888-1894.

Draft report on certain optical and other instruments in the Paris [Universal] Exhibition by Sir David Brewster, 1781-1868. Report by Brewster, as Vice President of the Jury Class VIII, is addressed to Lord Stanley of Alderley as President of the Board of Trade. With 4 pp., holograph, on two leaves, by William Lassell dated March 22 "to be substituted in Brewster's Report in place of the description of Lassell's Telescope;" and 2 pp., holograph, on two leaves, re Secretan's Achromatic Telescope, by Brewster dated March 30, also to be substituted. Total number of pages is 57. 1856. 53 pp. plus title page, on 31 leaves ; 23.5 X 19 cm. Holograph signed.

Photographs of a differential analyzer from the Building Research Station (Great Britain), made there in the early 1950s. The photos show it in the course of construction. See MSP 135 for drawings of the machine. 1951-1954. 28 black and white photographs.

Lectures on calculating machines from the Building Research Station (Great Britain). Comprises: Notes nos. E137, Description of Hand Calculating Machines; E140, The Use of Hand Machines - Addition and Subtraction; E147, The Use of Hand Machines - Multiplication; E152, The Use of Hand Machines - Division; E153, Some Special Types of Calculations. 1948-1949. 1 volume; 31 x 22 cm.

Correspondence with F. A. B. Ward and Sir James Chadwick, 1891-1974. Correspondence (1938 June 10 - Aug 26, Science Museum, London) chiefly concerning supply of copies of E. O. Lawrence's color slides, needed by Chadwick; also includes discussion of Lawrence's cyclotron and of Chadwick's cyclotron (now nearing completion). Ward's are copy letters, typescript; Chadwick's are typescript signed or holograph signed. 1938. 9 leaves (9 items); 26 x 21 cm. or smaller.

Volume of manuscript letters from Sir William Crookes (1832-1919) to his laboratory assistant, C. H. Gimingham. The 51 letters, including numerous ones from Paris, are all addressed to 'My dear Charlie'. They chiefly concern laboratory work and specific experiments. They are numbered 4 to 184 as if from a much larger collection. 1 volume; 22.5 x 18 cm.

Manuscript laboratory notebooks of Sir William Crookes (1832-1919). (1) Rough Note Book, July 1876 to April 1877 (includes contents page re experiments with 'viscosity apparatus'); (2) Rough Note Book, April 1877 to March 1880 (a few pages at rear contain notes for lectures in Dublin and Sheffield and at Chemical Society); (3) Chemical Note Book, Feb. 7, 1881 to July 7, 1883 (detailing experiments 1 - 185; some pages at rear are damaged); (4) Laboratory Note Book, July 1875 to Dec. 1877 (detailing experiments 758 to 1334; with Index at front); (5) Laboratory Note Book, Jan. 1, 1878 to May 4, 1881 (detailing experiments 1335 to 1646). 1875-1883. 5 volumes ; 23.5 x 19.5 cm. (1-3); 32.5 x 21 cm. (4-5). (1-2) and (4-5) have recorded slightly higher than background radiation and have consequently been withdrawn; the copying of these volumes is currently under consideration. (3) is available.

Magnetism & electricity manuscript notebook by Willis F. Dent. References are made to the work of Volta, Cruickshank, Faraday, et al; to the electric telegraph; and to numerous experiments. Inside cover bears date 1869 November 3. 1 volume (75 pages are used); illustrations; 23 x 19 cm.

Correspondence to J. D. Hamilton Dickson regarding his experiments with the vacuum flask by James Dewar. Comprises approximately 98 holograph letters. 1898-1903. 1 portfolio case.

Collection of biographical material regarding Sir Norman Lockyer and Alfred Fowler, chiefly collected by Herbert Dingle (1890-1978) during preparations for his 1928 biography of Norman Lockyer, and includes 34 letters he received regarding Lockyer and his work . Also includes a detailed personal manuscript notebook of Alfred Fowler regarding Fowler's life, career and colleagues. 1896-1940. 1 box.

‘Elements of practical astronomy,' once belonging to Edmund Ferrers. Bears title and date 1810 on spine. Contains brief historical section on classical astronomer Manilius, followed by the main work, being chiefly notes and measurements, largely from credited sources. One page bears 'Edmund Ferrers May 10, 1810' ; volume includes slip bearing note 'To The Reverend Edmund Ferr..'. At end are details of life and work of Sir William Herschel. 1 volume; 12.5 cm.

Physics, practical notes of Sir David H. (David Henry), Follett, 1907-. Notes of experimental work done in Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford while a student at Brasenose College. 65 leaves; 23 cm.

Radar claims (transcripts of hearings) from the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors (Great Britain). The claims were heard by the Commission at Somerset House, Strand, sitting over 44 days and chaired by Lord Justice Cohen. Numbered parts 1-44, part 18 is missing. Twenty awards were made, totaling 93,100, the bulk to Sir Robert Watson Watt (50,000), Dr. E. G. Bowen (12,000) and A. F. Wilkins (12,000). 46 parts in 4 boxes; typescript; [boxes] 35.5x23.5 cm.

Papers regarding astronomical instrument making, particularly the Cape telescope from Sir Howard Grubb, 1844-1931. Collection of papers regarding the astronomical instrument making, particularly the Cape telescope. Includes detailed specifications for instruments for named customers. 1869-1903. 1 archive box.

Catalogue of spectra from Sir Walter Noel Hartley (1846-1913). Vol. 1 (covering 1 to 71) is titled 'Researches on Bessemer Flame Spectra'; volumes 2 - 4 (covering 77-164, 165-296 and 297- 391) are titled 'Researches in Spectrum Analysis.' Oxyhydrogen Flame Spectra of various minerals and metallic substances showing their composition. 4 volumes.

Papers collected by Leslie B. (Leslie Bernard) Hunt (1906- ) regarding pressure measurement, especially the instruments of Lucien Vidie. Comprised of an offprint of Hunt's article in Journal of Scientific Instruments 21, 1944, 'The History of Pressure Responsive Elements'; numerous patent specifications; details of court case of 1858 between Lucien Vidie and Eugene Bourdon re: invention of aneroid barometer; translation of 1849 German article re: the Schinz steam pressure gauge for locomotives; typescript. notes re: Bourdon's 1851 paper to the Institute of Civil Engineering on a new metallic manometer; photo of Burdon's monometer and of Vidie, etc. 1844-1944. 1 folder.

Manuscript physics exercise book of Douglas Keens, 1933- . The exercise book records practical work in final year at Shrewsbury School, and subsequently in Cavendish Laboratory when at St. John's College, Cambridge. Includes school experiment to find the surface tension of mercury using an electronic stroboscope. 1951-1956. 1 volume; illustrated; 25.5 x 20.5 cm.

Letters to Sir Arthur and Lady Rucker by Sir Oliver Lodge, 1851-1940. Nine autograph letters to Rucker (4) and to his wife (5) on scientific subjects and a proposed trip to France. Four are written from the University of Birmingham, two from Mariemont, Edgbaston. With an annotated carbon copy of Lodge's paper, "Atomic Theory and Radioactivity," (8 page typescript.), and a portrait photo of him, seemingly from 'Sir Oliver Lodge. A Biographical Sketch' by J. H. P. (1906), bearing facsimile signature. 1894-1913. 11 items.

Memorandum on a 250 ft. aperture Steerable Radio Telescope by Sir Bernard Lovell, 1913- . Copy of the unpublished memorandum known as the "Blue Book," written to support an application for funds to build the Jodrell Bank Mk.1 telescope. Includes chapter by Dr. J. A. Clegg on Radio Frequency Design and by J. G. Davies on the Control Mechanism. Stenciled typescript. 1 volume (104 leaves); illustrated, maps, photos, charts.

Our present knowledge of the universe by Sir Bernard Lovell, 1913- . Lecture at the University College of North Wales, broadcast on the BBC's Third Programme on 9 March 1967. 1 sound disc: analog, 33-1/3 rpm. 12 in.

Printed material regarding the history and work of the National Physical Laboratory (Great Britain), 1924-1957. 9 booklets.

Negretti and Zambra's pocket spectroscope for observing the rain-band. Reproduces paper by Smyth, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, "Spectroscopic weather discussions", from Nature of 5 October, 1882. Also bears advertisements for two N & Z publications. 1882. 8 pp.

Materials relating to astronomical and meteorological observations made at Rousdon, near Lyme Regis, Devon, Peek, by Sir Edgar Cuthbert, 1855-1901. Printed and manuscript material. Much of the astronomical observation was carried out by Peek's assistant, Charles Grover. 1886-1900. 5 items.

Mechanics by James Plumpton. 1 volume (111 pp. and 13 folding plates): illustrated, ink and monochrome wash; 28 x 22 cm. Ms. text book containing definitions, theorems and exercises.

Correspondence of Ernest, Lord Rutherford of Nelson, 1871-1937. Collection (set 3) of photocopied manuscript and typescript letters, edited for the Rutherford Memorial Committee of the Royal Society. Letters are arranged alphabetically by author and chronologically. 9 volumes; [each] 32.5 x 29 cm. This correspondence is not public and should only be made available for purposes of private study to specifically authorized persons.

On developments of spectroscopic apparatus in the nineteenth century by Elizabeth A. Sarson. Thesis (B. Sc.) - University of Oxford, 1973. Author was student of Lady Margaret Hall. 279 pp.; illustrated, photos; 26 x 21 cm.

Unpublished biography of William Henry Maw by William Edward Simnett, 1880-1958. C.E. Maw was an engineer, journalist and astronomer, President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (1901-02) and of the Institution of Civil Engineers (1922-23) and editor of the periodical Engineering for 58 years. He was a founding member of the British Astronomical Association in 1890 and became treasurer and later president. He erected the Thorrowgood Telescope at his home in Surrey in 1896, and used it for measurements of double stars. Includes contents page and associated photographs and letters. 251 pp.; 28.5 x 23 cm.

Catalogus Novus Stellarum Duplicium et Multiplicium maxima ex parte in Specula Universitatis Caesareae Dorpatensis per magnum telescopium achromaticum Fraunhoferi detectarum by F. G. W. (Friedrich Georg Wilhelm) Struve, 1793-1864. The copy of J. F. W. Herschel, bearing his copious manuscript notes on interleaved blank pages. His signature is on title page. 1 volume; 33.5 x 21.5 cm.

Papers on the life and work of optical instrument makers H.D. (Harold Dennis) Taylor (1862-1943) and his son E. W. Taylor. Comprises press cuttings, obituary notices and, chiefly, offprints of articles by E. W. Taylor. H. D. Taylor worked primarily for Thomas Cooke & Sons, E. W. Taylor for Cooke, Troughton & Simms Ltd. 1907-1995. 1 folder.

An epistemological re-assessment of Einstein's special relativity theory and of the conceivable alternatives to it by Robert R. Traill. The paper was written at the Institute of Cybernetics, Brunel University and includes as an appendix, a translation of Fresnel's letter to Francois Arago on the influence of terrestrial movement on several optical phenomena, 1818. 1978-1979. 32 leaves; 30 cm.

Correspondence between University of Oxford Physical Chemistry Laboratory and Metropolitan-Vickers concerning Mass Spectrometer Type MS 2 serial no. 1. Much of the correspondence, concerning problems with installation and maintenance, is between C. J. Danby, of Oxford University's Physical Chemistry Laboratory, and J. Blears of the Research Dept. of Metropolitan-Vickers, Manchester. The file includes five letters from between 1955 and 1959. The actual mass spectrometer (inv. no. 1970-379) was presented to the Science Museum in July 1970 and is in the Experimental Chemistry collection. 1948-1954. 1 file.

Letter to F. A. B. Ward dated March 26, 1935 by Charles Thomson Rees Wilson (1869-1959). Letter suggests a source for a photograph of the first Wilson cloud chamber. 2 pp. on one leaf; 17.5 x 11.5 cm. Holograph signed.

Three letters to F. S. Taylor by Charles Thomson Rees Wilson (1869-1959). Replies to Taylor's questions concerning the arrangement of the Wilson cloud chamber during Wilson's experiments of 1911-1912. 1954 April 12-27. 6 pp. on four leaves; 17.5 x 13.5 cm. Holograph signed.

Papers of A. B. (Albert Beaumont) Wood. Correspondence, reminiscences, published paper and newspaper cuttings concerning Wood's education in Manchester, his work on radioactivity, particularly thorium active deposit and his work for the Admiralty on the cathode ray oscillograph and echo sounders. 1912-1980. 3 boxes; 38 x 29 x 13 cm.

Papers and correspondence of Peter Howard Fowler, 1923-1996. Physicist; member of C. F. Powell's cosmic rays research group at University of Bristol. Appointed Assistant Lecturer in Physics in 1948, Lecturer in 1951, and Reader in 1961. Visiting Professor at University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 1956-57. Elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1964 (Rutherford Lecturer 1971, Hughes Medal 1974) and later that year appointed a Royal Society Research Professor in Physics which he held until his retirement in 1988. Research centered on the study of elementary particles created naturally by interactions of cosmic rays in the upper atmosphere of the earth, using high-altitude balloons and later VC10 aircraft carrying nuclear emulsion film recording cosmic ray activity and launched from sites worldwide. Continued after Powell's death in 1996, extending it through the use of solid-state detectors and gas scintillator detectors flown on satellites in the 1980s. His measurements of super heavy nuclei lead to an understanding of the supernova mechanism. His work also extended to meteorology, medical physics and radiotherapy, and using thermal neutrons in screening luggage for explosives. Biographical material includes Fowler's personal file from the Department of Physics at the University of
Bristol and other documents relating to his career; honors and awards including his Royal Society Fellowship and Research Professorship; also historical material relating to C. F. Powell. There are substantial lecture notes from the undergraduate studies of Fowler and Rosemary Brown from the Bristol Physics Department in the 1940s, as well as other University of Bristol materials from Fowler's tenure there. Largest amount of records are from the numerous microscope observers, scanners, balloon makers and technicians employed by the H. H. Wills Laboratory in cosmic ray research. Includes some material relating to balloon flights for cosmic ray studies arranged chronologically; most dates from the 1960s, covering various balloon flight launches worldwide, and includes correspondence and papers relating to arrangements for flights, balloon technical specifications, flight plans, proposals, and analysis of results. Other research interests documented include pi-mesons in cancer treatment, magnetic monopoles, the heavy primary cosmic ray detector for the Ariel 6 satellite, and the assessment of the radioactive fallout from the Ukrainian nuclear plant Chernobyl, ten years after its explosion. Materials relating to publications are arranged chronologically, 1947-ca. 1996, and includes offprints, drafts, figures and correspondence. There are records of physics teaching at Bristol in the 1950s-1960s, and Fowler's public and invited lectures, principally on cosmic rays, 1964-1996. Visits and conferences are documented for the period 1956-1993. Involvement with seventeen UK and international organizations is covered, in particular the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, the Joint MRC/NRPB Committee on Radiological Protection (1983-1992), the Royal Astronomical Society, the Royal Society, and the Science and Engineering Research Council. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically following Fowler's original order; correspondents are mainly scientific colleagues and historians of science, but there are no extended exchanges. 1940-2002. 33 boxes. Processed. Visits by appointment only; identification required.

Papers of George Boole (1815-1864). First professor of mathematics at Queens College, Cork (now University College, Cork). The inventor of Boolean Logic, he laid the foundations in the latter half of the 19th century of a system of mathematical expression which formed the basis for all modern computer languages. Mostly personal correspondence from Boole to family and friends describing his working life and activities in Cork. Unfortunately, none of his academic material, e.g., notes, lectures, etc. is contained here. Section C, academic material, contains copies of published works, some unpublished lectures and some mathematical exercises, along with his testimonials. 1847-1856. 1 linear meter (377 items). Access is by prior appointment with the archivist only.

Papers of Charles Glover Barkla (1877-1944). Physicist. Chair of Physics at King's College, London (1909); Professor of Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University (1913). For outstanding contributions to physics and his work on the nature of X-radiation and its interaction with matter, awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics, 1917. Includes lectures and notes (1903, 1917); citation for the Nobel Prize for Physics (1917); congratulatory telegrams on the award of the Nobel Prize for physics (1918-1919). 1903-1919. 1 box (ca. 24 letters, 1 Nobel Laureate Diploma). Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in
advance.

Miscellaneous manuscripts of Baron William Thomson Kelvin (1824-1907). Physicist and Fellow of the Royal Society. Includes 2 letters to Michael Faraday explaining accompanying diagrams by James Clerk Maxwell. 1859. 1 folder. Users from outside the University are advised to give 2 days notice.

Miscellaneous manuscripts of James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879). Physicist (mathematical physics, electricity, and magnetism) and mathematician. Chair, natural philosophy, Marischal College, Aberdeen, Scotland (1856-1860); professor of physics and astronomy, King's College, London (1860-1865); and professor of experimental physics, Cambridge University (1871-1879). Includes 22 diagrams of fields of force, accompanied by two explanatory letters from Lord Kelvin to Michael Faraday. (ca. 1859). 22 diagrams. Users from outside the University are advised to give 2 days notice

Papers of staff and students in the University of Strathclyde. The University of Strathclyde originated in Anderson's Institution, which was established in 1796 according to instructions in the will of John Anderson (1726-1796). Materials range from original correspondence to secondary sources copied from other repositories. The following are the principal collections within this group relevant to history of physics and allied fields: OM17 -- James Blyth (1838-1906), professor of Natural Philosophy, 1880-1906 (electricity and magnetism, air turbines); OM 45 -- Sir Samuel Curran (1912-1998), involved in Manhattan project, Atomic Energy Authority, Director of the Royal College of Science and Technology 1959-1964 and first Principal of the University, 1964-1980; OM 64 -- Thomas Garnett, first Professor of Natural Philosophy, 1766-1802; OM 72 -- Alexander Herschel (1836-1907), Professor of Natural Philosophy, 1866-1872; OM 105 -- Dougald McQuiston (1879-1946), Professor of Natural Philosophy, 1938-1942; OM 157 -- Frederick Symon, lecturer in Natural Philosophy, 1921-1964; OM 183 -- George Foster (1835-1919), Professor of Natural Philosophy, 1862-1865; OM 196 -- James Muir (1875-1945), Professor of Natural Philosophy, 1906-1938; OM 201 -- George Forbes (1849-1936), Professor of Natural Philosophy, 1872-1880, inventory of the carbon brush; OM 202 -- Andrew Ure (1778-1857), Professor of Natural Philosophy, 1804-1830. Some collections may be restricted; contact repository.

Records of the University of Strathclyde (1964 to date) and its antecedents, including Anderson's Institution, University and College (1796-1888), the Glasgow Mechanics Institution (1823-1888) and the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, Royal Technical College and Royal College of Science and Technology (1889-1964). Includes minutes, calendars, annual reports, student records, staff records, departmental records, etc. which provide an overview of the development of physics teaching and research in a major educational institution that was founded around natural philosophy. 1796 to present; ca. 160 lin. ft. of pre-1964 materials; ca. 4,500 lin. ft. of post-1964 materials.