John Logie Baird: Television pioneer (History and Management of Technology) - Hardcover

Burns, Russell W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0852967977 ISBN 13: 9780852967973

Publisher: The Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2000

Synopsis

Professor Russell Burns attempts to offer a balanced biography of one of the twentieth century's outstanding inventors, published to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Baird's first public demonstration of a rudimentary television system. The author's meticulous treatment is based on primary source documents although many personal recollections are included to add humour, colour and context. A great deal of material regarding Baird's business partnerships in the early 1920s has only recently become available to researchers and is covered here for the first time.

Baird is credited in Britain and elsewhere as the inventor of television, realising a quest which for fifty years had engaged the attention of inventors, scientists and engineers. When he started work he had no regular income, no research experience and no laboratory or workshop, his work had no funding or commercial sponsorship, and initially he had no expert help. Having demonstrated a rudimentary system in early 1926 he then developed many other aspects of television and aspired to launch a low-definition television broadcasting service. To raise capital he entered various business partnerships. Holding many patents, he could have retired wealthy but he chose instead to develop his ideas further, focusing on cinema, colour and stereoscopic television, so that when he died he left only £7000.

The book illuminates Baird's life and work in many interesting ways. For example, how did Baird's technical strategy and development compare with the work undertaken in industrial laboratories? How did his development policy compare with the development of wireless by Marconi? Was his 'invention' in 1925 really outstanding?

About this title

About the Author:

Russell W. Burns graduated from the University of Durham in 1948 with a first class honours degree in physics. Following post-graduate research he joined the Royal Naval Scientific Service in 1952. Professor Burns subsequently held various appointments in higher education in the UK and abroad, obtaining his PhD from the University of Leicester in 1976, and retired in 1989. He has been researching and writing on the history of electrical engineering for more than 30 years. He was awarded the IEE's SET Divisional Board Premium in 1993 and shared the Maxwell Premium in 1994. An IEE Fellow, Professor Burns is a past chairman of the IEE's History of Technology professional group, Archives Committee and Science Education and Technology Divisional Board.

Review:

'The present volume bears the usual stamp of scholarly thoroughness which characterises other books from Burns pen. It avoids the pitfalls of previous biographies and gives a rounded picture of the great inventor. It would be fair to say, that, armed with this volume, the reader should be ready for any debate featuring the Great Man.'

(NBTV Quarterly)

'Another thoroughly-researched, professional and beautifully-produced volume from the IEE. Burns knows his subject well and has contributed several other volumes to IEE's outstanding series.'

(The Old Timer's Bulletin)

'In summary, we have an admirable and definitive book which only serves to enrich the further deserved acceptance of Baird's achievements.'

(405 Alive)

'Burns has written what must surely be the ultimate biography of Baird, essential reading for anyone with an interest in the life of one of Britain's most colourful inventors'

(British Vintage Wireless Society)

About this edition

• Publisher: The Institution of Engineering and Technology
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0852967977
• ISBN 13: 9780852967973
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 433