This event is both an in-person and on-line event. To reserve a spot for either option, please visit the lecture’s Eventbrite page.

The talk describes the experimental and theoretical work on windmills from Bacon‘s early experiments using paper sails and a bellows, through Smeaton‘s rotating arm device, Perry‘s more sophisticated rotating arm, and into the present day use of wind tunnels.  The developments in scientific understanding are outlined.

About The Lecturer

Dr Bryan Lawton was a Western Region committee member for more than 20 years and recently stood down as Chairman.  He has published five papers in the TNS/ IJHET and was one of the organisers of the “Piston Engine Revolution” and “Swords into Ploughshares” conferences.  His two-volume work on the early history of mechanical engineering was given the American Society of Mechanical Engineers “Engineering Historian” award.