ENGINEERING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21811, 17 June 1936, Page 8

ENGINEERING

# HISTORICAL SURVEY DISCUSSED 'I —— PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS TO COLLEGE SOCIETY • The historical aspects of engineering from prehistoric to modem times were discussed in the presidential address--“Engineering”—given by Mr G. t*. Calvert, lecturer in civil engineering at Canterbury College, to members of the College Engineering Society last evening. The meeting was held in the Engineering School building, Mr A. Bogle presiding. Mr Calvert outlined the development of engineering practice through successive ages, emphasising the influence of individual men and of kindred sciences, and giving some ‘account of the influence of industry and the demands it created, upon the 'progress of scientific and inventive developments. With liberal quotations from engineering and other literature, he described the difficulties and hostility that opposed new ideas in the later middle ages. He dealt at length with such difficulties encountered by Watt and other inventors. He discussed the first recorded use of the name "civil engineer” in 1771, and showed the growth of the Smeatonian Society, which was formed then. He also described the numerous institutions, men, and inventions that had left their mark on the scientific world from that date to the present day.