Mathematics and Aeronautics

Abstract

The 48th Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture, “Mathematics and Aeronautics” was given by Mr. M. J. Lighthill, F.R.S., before a large and distinguished audience at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1 Birdcage Walk, on 19th May 1960. Dr. E. S. Moult, C.B.E., B.Sc, F.R.Ae.S., M.I.Mech.E., President of the Society, presided.As has become the custom, before the lecture was delivered the President presented the awards made by the Council for 1960 for outstanding contributions to aeronautics. In the unavoidable absence of the Secretary he was assisted by Miss E. C. Pike, M.A., A.F.R.Ae.S., Secretary of the Medals and Awards Committee and Editor of The Aeronautical Quarterly. The list of the awards presented on this occasion was published in the June 1960 Journal—(p. XXXII).The President, introducing the lecturer, reminded the audience that the Wilbur Wright Lecture commemorated the first manned, powered controlled flight by Wilbur Wright at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on 17th December 1903. The first Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture was held in 1913 and they had been held each year ever since, through two World Wars; in itself a wonderful record. The custom had been, and would continue to be, to have alternately a lecturer from the United Kingdom and a lecturer from the United States; last year the lecture had been by Mr. McCarthy of Chance Vought and next year again it would be by an American.The Wilbur Wright Lectures had been a most distinguished series by distinguished lecturers, and he was sure that the lecture that night would be in keeping. His pleasant duty was to introduce Professor Lighthill—or as they had to call him Mr. Lighthill now that he was Director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, which was an even greater distinction. Mr. Lighthill was the youngest Director that the R.A.E. had ever had—that alone was a tribute to Mr. Lighthill's ability and his high standing in the profession. Before joining the Royal Aircraft Establishment Mr. Lighthill was Professor of Applied Mathematics at Manchester University, and for a time, after leaving Cambridge, had worked at the National Physical Laboratory where he applied the mathematics of Cambridge to the problems of aerodynamics. His lecture was on “Mathematics and Aeronautics” he would ask Mr. Lighthill to deliver the 48th Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture.