THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 



CRAFTSMANSHIP AND SCIENCE. 



BY 



PROFESSOR SIR WILLIAM BRAGG, K.B.E., D.Sc, D.C.L., 



LL.D., F.R.S.. 

 President of the Association. 



When, nearly a century ago, the founders of our Association drew up a 

 statement of purposes and rules they gave prominence to the words * to 

 obtain more general attention for the objects of Science.' Since that 

 time we have tried continuously to fulfil our self-imposed task, not, I hope, 

 unwisely nor untactfully, nor without success. For this purpose we have 

 on many occasions and in many ways endeavoured to describe the 

 progress of our researches, and to present the consequences of discoveries 

 as they appeared to the discoverers. With your permission, I would like 

 this evening to add something to the story. I would claim as my 

 justification for doing so the fact that in the last few years scientific 

 inquiry has advanced at a rate which to all is amazing, and to some is 

 even alarming. On the one hand, the application of science to industry 

 has become increasingly important and obvious, as was so clearly shown 

 by our honoured President of two years ago. Especially at the present 

 time when our country is struggling to free itself from distress due partly 

 to the war and partly to violent changes in economic conditions is it of 

 interest and importance to consider what science is doing and can do to 

 accelerate recovery. On the other hand, in the less material realms the 

 applications of recent research have aroused wide interest, as may be 

 exemplified by the infiuence on philosophic thought of the new discoveries 

 in physical science, or by the effect of last year's remarkable Address from 

 this chair. 



I cannot deal in the time allotted to me with all the issues that arc 

 suggested by these considerations. I propose to limit myself in a manner 

 which my choice of title will suggest, and in speaking of ' craftsmanship 

 and science ' to pay attention more particularly to the relations between 

 science and the craftsmanship of our own country. I shall not, however, 

 1928 B 



k 



