50 Years Ago

The position of the centre of gravity of the human body has been measured in a wide range of conditions, but in many cases a high degree of accuracy was not possible because of the crude nature of the equipment ... For the erect human body the swaying motion associated with long durations of standing is readily observed, but measurements of this movement are rare ... Preliminary measurements of this continuous movement of the centre of gravity have been made. The subject stands on a horizontal circular platform which is supported by three cantilevers at equally spaced positions around the periphery of the platform. Each cantilever has strain gauges attached to it, giving a continuous reading of the load on each support. Analysis of these readings allows the continuous movement of the centre of gravity of the body to be determined.

From Nature 15 July 1967

100 Years Ago

May I make an appeal through your columns to any men of science who have calculating machines ... not in active use to communicate with me? My laboratory has at present very heavy computing work of an urgent character in hand for a Government department. This keeps nine machines running almost incessantly, and when any machine gets out of order it is ... almost impossible to get it rapidly and effectively repaired. Quite fancy prices are now being asked often for completely worn-out machines ... When the war is over machines will return to their normal price — indeed, will probably be at reduced prices, for the war has taught many persons their value and the market will be wider than it has hitherto been, so that foreign monopolies are certain to be broken down.

From Nature 12 July 1917 Footnote 1