National Physical Laboratory (Great Britain)
National Physical Laboratory records, 1902-1993.
Records of the NPL relating to the maintenance of standards and research in physical science. Includes registered files of the laboratory and records of the executive committee and general board, minutes and papers of other NPL Board and Committee meetings, reports, account books, annual reports, and files of the Ship Division.
In 1898 a committee of inquiry under Lord Rayleigh recommended the establishment of a National Physical Laboratory under the control of the Royal Society. It was to be an institution "for standardizing and verifying instruments, for testing materials, and for the determination of physical constants." It was first established at Kew Observatory in 1900 and was formally opened in a new acommodation at Teddington in 1902. The Royal Society controlled the laboratory through a general board and an executive committee of 16 members, grant aid being provided by the Treasury. The Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research took over responsibility for its maintenance and development in 1918, though the Royal Society remained responsible for its scientific programme of work and for the appointment, promotion and dismissal of its scientific staff. In 1965 the laboratory was transferred to the control of the Ministry of Technology. In 1991 the laboratory became an executive agency of the Department of Trade and Industry and in 1996 became a privatized company.
National Physical Laboratory (Great Britain) -- Records and correspondence.
Physics -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century.
Account books. aat
Government records -- Great Britain. aat
Minutes. aat
Reports. aat
AIP-ICOS
Great Britain. National Archives. Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU, UK