A Meteorological Dept. of the Board of Trade was formed in 1854 for the collection and co-ordination of meteorological observations made at sea. In 1867 the department became the Meteorological Office and was transferred from the Board of Trade to the administrative control of a Meteorological Committee, the members of which were appointed by the Royal Society. During World War I three other meteorological services were developed: one for the Air Ministry responsible for information for airships; that of the Admiralty, developed to meet the needs of the Royal Navy; and the Meteorological Section of the Royal Engineers, formed to meet the needs of aircraft and gas warfare in France. By 1922 these services were absorbed into the Meteorological Office which became the State Meteorological Service. Since 1990 the Meteorological Office has been an executive agency within the Ministry of Defence. In addition to its defense role, it provides meteorological services for the public services, the press, industry and the public, and undertakes research in meteorology and geophysics.