eee 
NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY. 
a 
housed in the old kitchen, which was adapted for the purpose. The 
Engineering Department at this time occupied two bays of the present 
building with some outhouses, and Administration was housed in one 
SOOT O Lamm USL vane ELD ULSsaeee ene oy “The development 
in the first four years was rapid, but the subsequent extensions 
were even more remarkable. The financial aid given by 
the Government was much too small for the Institution, which 
was really needed by the country, and the new buildings which were 
erected in rapid succession were, in many instances, furnished by 
private benefactors. In some cases the architects gave their services, 
the builders did their work at cost price, electric cables, &c., were 
presented free, and in general every firm who supplied any part of the 
equipment either gave all or part of the cost. In this way for eighteen 
years the late Director strove to build up a great national institution 
BUSHY HOUSE, FROM THE SOUTH. 
such as he felt was needed by the industries of the country, and the 
great growth of the Laboratory up to the outbreak of war was almost 
entirely due to his initiative and untiring energy. Those who gener- ~ 
ously helped gave evidence of the confidence felt in the Director and the 
great work which he had undertaken. In 1909, when acronautical 
research was favorably considered by the Government, Sir Richard 
was nominated Chairman of the Advisory Committee, and an aero- 
nautical research laboratory was built at the National Physical 
Laboratory. It is largely due to the work done here that the position 
of the country in aeronautics is first in the world. 
Sir Richard was on numerous committees, and during the war he 
acted as Adviser on Physics to the Ministry of Munitions. He received 
the C.B. in 1910, and in recognition of his services during the early 
days of the war he was knighted in June, 1917.” : 
205 
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