100 years ago

The energetic Secretary of the Society for the Protection of Birds has issued another letter of protest against the wanton destruction of birds to supply ladies with wings and feathers and stuffed skins for their bonnets. The Society is unceasing in its efforts to open the eyes of the gentler sex to the cruelty often practised in procuring plumes, and to the gradual extermination of many beautiful and beneficial birds. We regret to think, however, that such trifling matters do not disturb the minds of the majority of women when they choose their millinery. Present effect is to them the sole criterion of the value of a bonnet, and how the effect is produced they complacently leave others to inquire.

From Nature 16 September 1897.

50 years ago

‘Gas-Turbine Propulsion in a Naval Vessel’ — Messrs. Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co., Ltd., Trafford Park, Manchester, have installed gas-turbine propulsion equipment in the experimental naval craft, M.G.B. 2009, the trials of which will take place in the near future. The Company claims that this is the first naval vessel ever to be propelled by a gas-turbine. The characteristics of the simple-cycle gas-turbine include low overall specific weight and size with rapid starting, and these qualities make it very suitable for light vessels where high speeds may be required for limited periods and at short notice. In M.G.B. 2009, normal cruising and astern power is provided by two 1,250 b.h.p.2,400 r.p.m. Packard internal combustion reciprocating engines, each engine driving its own propeller through a reduction gear. Maximum ahead power is obtained by bringing into operation a completely independent Metropolitan-Vickers gas-turbine of 2,500 b.h.p., which drives a third propeller through speed-reduction gearing to supplement the power of the reciprocating engines.

From Nature 20 September 1947.

Many more abstracts like these can be found in A Bedside Nature: Genius and Eccentricity in Science, 1869-1953, a 266-page book edited by Walter Gratzer. Contact David Plant.

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