OPENING OF THE NEW SCIENCE BLOCK.
(From the Cambridge Daily News.)
The Thomson Building, 1927
On Saturday, Nov. 19th, Prof. Sir J. J. Thomson, O.M., F.R.S., Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, opened the new laboratories which have been erected at Leys School, Cambridge, at a cost of £30,000. The new laboratories form the most important addition made to the school buildings since His Majesty the King opened the library and main gateway in 1914. The plans were prepared by the architect, Mr. Charles F. Skipper, F.R.I.B.A., under the expert advice of Dr. H. H. Dale, F.R.S., the secretary of the Royal Society, himself a distinguished Old Leysian. In addition to lecture rooms, the new buildings provide elementary and advanced laboratories for physics and chemistry, a biological laboratory fitted with a cinematograph projector, and an engineering shop.
Lord Hayter presided, supported by the Master of Trinity, Sir Ernest Rutherford, Sir James Carmichael, Dr. H. H. Dale and the Headmaster.
Sir Joseph, who was introduced by Lord Hayter, said that the opening of a new physics laboratory was itself a pleasure. He had obtained so much delight, himself, in physics laboratories that he was always anxious to increase their numbers and allow more people to experience a similar delight. There was an added pleasure in opening these laboratories, since Leys School had come to Cambridge almost at the same time as himself. He had watched an uninterrupted progress there for fifty years–a progress in reputation, usefulness and influence. Schools of fifty years ago gave a very excellent education provided that the boy was of the right type. It was generally considered that if a boy failed in classics he was a dunce, and if he failed in mathematics he was presumably a poet. (Laughter.) But the old idea of making children “ fit ” a curriculum had passed. The “ conflict of studies ” for a place in the time-table was over. “ I have now,” said Sir J. J. Thomson, “ nothing whatever to complain of concerning the position of science in the great majority of English schools. ” The standard of education reached by scholarship candidates at the Universities could not be paralleled in any other country in the world. (Cheers.)
But in connection with the study of science there was a serious point to be considered. Every industry in the country was based on some science or another, and its welfare was to a large extent dictated by the progress of science. During the last twenty years this progress had been enormously accelerated, and laboratory workers had increased tenfold. The old processes had become obsolete and unprofitable, and there was no hope for industry unless its processes were founded on the best science known. “ You cannot run an industry of to-day on the science of yesterday,”' said Professor Thomson, “ and the closest correlation between science and industry is essential. There is no work more difficult than to steer a great industry successfully, and if its leaders rest on their oars the progress of science will wash them on to the rocks.” The speaker explained that for some years he had been concerned with a Government department which endeavoured to promote the union of science and industry. The attitude of many of the leaders of industry was “ not altogether satisfactory.” The majority of them seemed content to “ carry on ” in the same way that their fathers did, wondering why their profits were less than their fathers’, but forgetting that their predecessors had themselves been progressive and inventive, and that no industry could be expected to run “ on the impulse of its inertia.” “ This spirit must be got rid of,” said Sir Joseph, in conclusion, and laboratories such as the new ones which he was opening were a hopeful sign for the future union of scientific theory and practice.
Proposing a vote of thanks to the Master of Trinity, the Headmaster said the school realised how honoured it was in having one of the greatest scientists of the age to open its new laboratories–a man whose record of work as an integral part of the history of scientific progress was destined to live for all time. (Applause.) In the old laboratories what might be called an honourable number of true men of science had received their training. He hoped that the new building would throw out many new scholars, who by achievement would show in a permanent way the gratitude which had been expressed in words. Old Leysians would be inspired in their work when they remembered the kindness which the Master had always shown to the Science Department of the School.
The presence of the heads of other colleges and other leaders of University life was also appreciated. Their generous interest in the work at the school was greatly valued. The vote was seconded by Sir James Carmichael, who referred to the occasion as a “ red letter ” day in the history of the School.
The following, among others, were present :
Sir Humphry Rolleston, Bt., K.C.B., Professor Sir Ernest Rutherford, O.M., M.A., F.R.S., Sir Josiah Stamp (and Lady Stamp), G.B.E., The Masters of Downing, Christ’s, St. Catharine’s, and Selwyn Colleges, the President of Queens’, the Mistress of Girton, the Censor, Fitzwilliam House, the Principals of Wesley House, Schoolmasters’ Training College, Women’s Training College, Professor J. Barcroft, C.B.E., F.R.S., Professor J. Buxton, M.A., Dr. Dootson, Miss Elles, M.B.E., Dr. Graham-Smith, F.R.S., and Mrs. Smith, Colonel Heycock, F.R.S., Professor A. Hutchinson, O.B.E., Professor C. E. Ingles, O.B.E., Professor B. M. Jones, A.F.C., Dr. C. G. Lamb, Professor T. M. Lowry, C.B.E., F.R.S., and Mrs. Lowry, Professor G. H. F. Nuttall, F.R.S., Councillor J. E. Purvis, M.A., and Dr. G. F. C. Searle, F.R.S.
Republished by A.P.Harmsworth, Head of Physics, December 2005