Post by principled on Dec 11, 2012 23:19:10 GMT 1
There relatively few engineers who one can say are well known outside the field of engineering. A couple of days ago one such engineer passed on. I refer to Dr Alex Moulton. At the time that he came up with the compact rubber( and then later the hydrolastic/hydrogas) suspension- famously used on the Mini designed by his friend, Sir Alec Issigonis- other car manufacturers (with the exception of the French) still has cart springs on their rear axles.
These men, together with others like Sir Frank Whittle, were true modern pioneers in their field. I just hope that he UK's fixation on areas such as Financial Services over the past 20 years hasn't prevented equally gifted people from entering the engineering profession.
P
PS: As a keen cyclist, I can remember clearly the rubber suspension, Moulton bicycle. Although they tried to make it popular amongst time triallists by supporting individuals and teams for record breaking events, it never really took off. Having said that, the Moulton Cycle Company is still in business today!
www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/heritage.html
These men, together with others like Sir Frank Whittle, were true modern pioneers in their field. I just hope that he UK's fixation on areas such as Financial Services over the past 20 years hasn't prevented equally gifted people from entering the engineering profession.
P
PS: As a keen cyclist, I can remember clearly the rubber suspension, Moulton bicycle. Although they tried to make it popular amongst time triallists by supporting individuals and teams for record breaking events, it never really took off. Having said that, the Moulton Cycle Company is still in business today!
www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/heritage.html