This book is a facsimilie reproduction of the original 1909
manuscript, including 39 illustrations, held in the Archive of the
Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey. It contains information
pertaining to the industrial archaeology and historical
significance of the Royal Gunpowder Mills. It is the 8th volume in
the Royal Gunpowder Mills Historical Reprint Series. For more
information about the Archive, visit http:
//www.royalgunpowdermills.com/history-heritage/archives/
From the Preface -
At a meeting of the Committee of the Explosives Section of the
Seventh International Congress of Applied Chemistry held on 5th
December, 1908, it was proposed by Mr. Guttmann, and carried
unanimously, that a history of the rise and progress of the
Explosives Industry in the British Isles should be compiled. A
publication sub-committee was formed, consisting of:
Captain T. G. Tulloch, late R.A. (ex officio). Major Cooper-Key,
late R.A., H.M. Chief Inspector of Explosives. Oscar Guttmann, M.
Inst. C.E., F.I.C. W. R. Hodgkinson, Ph.D., J.S., F.I.C., Ordnance
College, Woolwich.
The Executive Committee of the Congress was approached for a
grant in aid of the expenses, and very cordially responded.
The sub-committee succeeded in securing the services of Mr. E.
A. Brayley Hodgetts as Editor.
The preparation and compilation of the vast amount of
information embodied in this book has been a labour of considerable
magnitude, and has involved an amount of research, investigation
and cross-reference, which can only be appreciated by those who
have worked in similar fields.
I therefore feel that not only the Explosives Industry, but also
posterity, are under obligation especially to Mr. Guttmann, to whom
the book owes its inception in the first instance, and to whose
great energy, vast stores of knowledge, and exceptionally complete
library the successful compilation of this elaborate work is
chiefly due.
Nor are his colleagues on the publication sub-committee, Major
Cooper-Key and Professor Hodgkinson, less deserving of gratitude.
Despite the arduous nature of their official engagements, they have
greatly assisted in the successful carrying out of this task.
Mr. Brayley Hodgetts may, I think, be congratulated on the
manner in which he has very successfully surmounted the
difficulties of compressing the large quantities of material at the
command of the publication sub-committee into a form which suffers
neither from redundancy nor incompleteness. He has dealt with the
large amount of scientific matter placed in his hands with much
literary skill, whilst the task of editing the historical and
manufacturing details could not have been done with more tact and
ability.
I say advisedly that posterity is under obligation to these
gentlemen, because in years to come I hope that this book will be
looked upon as a work of reference connecting the past with the
future, for it is, to the best of my knowledge, the only work of
the kind containing so complete a history of the manufacture of
explosives in this country.
...
The portraits which appear are confined to those who were
connected prominently with the epoch-making events in the past of
the Explosives Industry. It is, however, a source of pride and
gratification to the Committee that among the portraits should be
that of their revered President, Sir Andrew Noble, whose researches
and labours in the Explosives field, and in many contiguous ones,
are so deservedly renowned.
The illustrations of works, etc., are merely intended to serve
as types, or are of historical interest.
T. G. Tulloch, Vice-President (Explosives Section), VIIth
International Congress of Applied Chemistry, London, May, 1909
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
(4)
