Abstract
THE first of the regional conferences on "Industry and Research"sponsored by the Federation of British Industries was held at Birmingham on March 25. The morning session, over which Sir Ernest Canning, vice-president of the Federation, presided, was devoted to "Research and Economic Recovery", and Sir Ernest, in opening the Conference, emphasized the vital importance of research, not merely in the evolution of new materials, processes and products, but also in the improvement of existing processes and products. He pointed out that it is a vital factor in promoting the more effective use of materials, labour and power, thus saving coal and other fuels ; and while in the short term we must all work harder, the only long-term method of restoring our pre-war standard of living lies in the persistent application of the scientific method and scientific advances to our industrial technique and life. We cannot equip ourselves for the highly competitive struggle in the world's markets which in two or three years will follow the sellers' market if we postpone the prosecution of industrial research until the time when the application of its results is essential to strengthen our competitive power.
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INDUSTRY AND RESEARCH CONFERENCE AT BIRMINGHAM. Nature 159, 649–650 (1947). https://doi.org/10.1038/159649a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/159649a0