[ Sir Andrew Noble, Scottish physicist. ] Offprint of paper titled 'A Sketch of the History of Propellants'. [ With account of discussion featuring H. A. Greer, Herbert B. Rowell, Professor Archibald Barr and Sir James Williamson. ]

Author: 
Sir Andrew Noble, Bart., K.C.B., F.R.S., D.Sc., Sc.D., D.C.L. [ Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland; H. A. Greer; Herbert B. Rowell; Professor Archibald Barr; Sir James Williamson ]
Publication details: 
Reprinted from the Transactions of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland (incorporated). Glasgow: Fraser, Asher & Co. Ltd., Printers and Publishers, 164 Howard Street. 1909.
£50.00
SKU: 20359

20pp., 12mo. Stapled in grey printed wraps. In fair condition, lightly aged, in worn wraps. The paper was 'Read 4th August, 1909.' Containing five tables. Begins: 'I purpose, in this paper, to give a sketch of the history of propellants pointing out how gunpowder which for many centuries was the sole propellant employed, and which remained during these centuries with the mode of manufacture unimproved, while, even by very great men, the wildest and most divergent ideas were entertained as to the pressures developed by its explosion, and the energy which it was possible to realise.' Pp.16-20 carry an account of the 'Discussion' which followed the paper, with contributions by H. A. Greer, Herbert B. Rowell, Professor Archibald Barr and Sir James Williamson. No copies of this offprint on either OCLC WorldCat or COPAC, which do however list an 'Advance Proof' of 'A Slight Sketch of the History of Propellants', twelve pages long, held by Oxford and Cambridge Universities.