British Engineering Triumphs (recent ones!)
Discussion
Got into conversation about HS2 and how its going to be delayed and how "we're just not good at anything" these days.
I think they're wrong. We're clearly very good at engineering (perhaps not running engineering business, but the actual "build a solution to a problem" part). Of course there are a lot of historical "greats" like Concorde and the railways and canals and other victorian-era greatness. But I am looking for modern examples.
I pointed out that the bridge slide they just did on the M42 was the first in the UK and largest in the world and it was all done when they said it would be. A great achievement in my book.
We've also had other great stuff like the Rosetta comet landing which british engineering had a strong hand in making possible. The vast majority of the F1 grid is essentially british. Most of the top engineers, strategists and designers are British. The motorsport industry in this country is surely a success all on its own.
What else have we got? I am sure there'll be loads (which brings me to my next issue, which is we're hopeless at promoting it!)
I think they're wrong. We're clearly very good at engineering (perhaps not running engineering business, but the actual "build a solution to a problem" part). Of course there are a lot of historical "greats" like Concorde and the railways and canals and other victorian-era greatness. But I am looking for modern examples.
I pointed out that the bridge slide they just did on the M42 was the first in the UK and largest in the world and it was all done when they said it would be. A great achievement in my book.
We've also had other great stuff like the Rosetta comet landing which british engineering had a strong hand in making possible. The vast majority of the F1 grid is essentially british. Most of the top engineers, strategists and designers are British. The motorsport industry in this country is surely a success all on its own.
What else have we got? I am sure there'll be loads (which brings me to my next issue, which is we're hopeless at promoting it!)
JET (Joint European Torus) in Culham
There's some interesting stuff going on at the Harwell Science Park like:
- National Quantum Computing Centre
- The Faraday Institution (making efficient batteries)
Although it's a few years old 'The Shard' is quite impressive
HIPER Pile by Keltbray is kind of cool and would go largely unnoticed by 99% of the population
IIRC we were first to develop a Covid-19 vaccine
There's some interesting stuff going on at the Harwell Science Park like:
- National Quantum Computing Centre
- The Faraday Institution (making efficient batteries)
Although it's a few years old 'The Shard' is quite impressive
HIPER Pile by Keltbray is kind of cool and would go largely unnoticed by 99% of the population
IIRC we were first to develop a Covid-19 vaccine
Edited by Snoggledog on Friday 10th March 16:21
Snoggledog said:
IIRC we were first to develop a Covid-19 vaccine
Yes; that was a stroke of biological genius followed by a purchasing flanker. But we forget that as it was lost in the nonsense of 'Partygate' Depends what you mean by 'engineering' really. Maybe it should just be 'British Triumphs'?
Simpo Two said:
Snoggledog said:
IIRC we were first to develop a Covid-19 vaccine
Yes; that was a stroke of biological genius followed by a purchasing flanker. But we forget that as it was lost in the nonsense of 'Partygate' Depends what you mean by 'engineering' really. Maybe it should just be 'British Triumphs'?
Mammasaid said:
Didn't even cross my mind... but you're right and pretty much everyone has something from ARM in their hand/pocket/on the wrist. A proper success story.Otispunkmeyer said:
Simpo Two said:
Snoggledog said:
IIRC we were first to develop a Covid-19 vaccine
Yes; that was a stroke of biological genius followed by a purchasing flanker. But we forget that as it was lost in the nonsense of 'Partygate' Depends what you mean by 'engineering' really. Maybe it should just be 'British Triumphs'?
Otispunkmeyer said:
Mammasaid said:
Didn't even cross my mind... but you're right and pretty much everyone has something from ARM in their hand/pocket/on the wrist. A proper success story.ARM was a classic really, as a company, the main point in owning shares was the hope that it would get taken over.
OutInTheShed said:
Otispunkmeyer said:
Mammasaid said:
Didn't even cross my mind... but you're right and pretty much everyone has something from ARM in their hand/pocket/on the wrist. A proper success story.ARM was a classic really, as a company, the main point in owning shares was the hope that it would get taken over.
Beati Dogu said:
ARM provides the design, testing and verification software, so customers can create their own custom chips before committing them to manufacturing. It saves the customer time and money.
The ARM architecture has been knocking around since the 80's albeit continually developed since then. Whilst undoubtedly it could be classed as an engineering triumph, I wouldn't call it a recent one.Reading Station: On budget, completed a year ahead of schedule. & all done whilst still live.
( Well... that’s what I heard on a recent ‘Railway’ programme).
Millau Viaduct... Ok, it’s in France but Norman Foster was one of the architects / designers.
( Well... that’s what I heard on a recent ‘Railway’ programme).
Millau Viaduct... Ok, it’s in France but Norman Foster was one of the architects / designers.
Edited by Milkyway on Saturday 11th March 16:11
Not there yet, and may still fail, but Tokamak Energy are aiming to be the first to deliver commercial nuclear fusion power to the grid -
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/magnet-nuclear-...
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/magnet-nuclear-...
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