INDUSTRIAL MATHEMATICS 283 



will become increasingly important, but it is believed that this trend will be 

 matched by progressively better trained engineering personnel, rather than 

 by an increased number of mathematicians. Indeed, unless the qualifica- 

 tions of the mathematicians rise progressively with those of the engineers, 

 it may turn out that less rather than more will be employed. 



Electrical Manufacturing 



Substantially all the research in the power fields is carried on by a few 

 electrical manufacturers. The power companies usually accept and exploit 

 such equipment as the manufacturers supply, and contribute to improved 

 design principally through their criticisms of past performance. Many of 

 their engineers, however, are individually active in the invention and 

 development of improved equipment. 



Number of Mathematicians. The number of mathematicians in the 

 industry is smaller than in communications, and is not easy to estimate 

 because their work is less segregated from other activities. The total 

 number who would here be rated as mathematicians is probably about 20. 



As in communications, some are engaged partly in experimental work. 

 There are some, however, whose relationship as consultants is clearly 

 recognized, and there is evidence that management is becoming increasingly 

 conscious of the nature and value of their services. 



Uses of Mathematics. Mathematical activity is most intense: (1) in 

 studying structural and dynamic problems, such as the strain, creep and 

 fatigue in machine parts, vibration and instability in turbines and other 

 rotating machinery, etc., (2) in appraising the evil effects of suddenly 

 applied loads, lightning or faults upon power lines, and their associated 

 sources of power, and devising methods to minimize these effects, (3) in 

 studying system performance, particularly the most effective or economical 

 location of proposed new equipment, and the evaluation of performances of 

 alternative transmission or distribution systems, (4) in refining the design 

 of generators, motors, transformers and the like, so as to improve their 

 electrical efficiency and reliability, and in similar improvement of the thermal 

 efficiency of turbines, (5) in the design of miscellaneous instruments and 

 apparatus. 



Statistical methods are being introduced into manufacturing and research, 

 but are not yet utilized to the same extent as in telephony. 



Future Prospects. The amount of money spent on development in these 

 industries is gradually increasing, and as in other fields the problems are 

 becoming more complex. Hence a slow increase in the number of mathe- 

 maticians seems probable, with rising standards in the qualifications re- 



