Newcomen Society
| The Newcomen Society | |
|---|---|
 Logo of the Newcomen Society |
|
| Motto | Actorum memores simul affectamus agenda |
| Formation | 1920 |
| Type | Learned society |
| Purpose/focus | Promotion and study of the history of engineering and technology |
| Headquarters | The Science Museum |
| Location | London |
| Official languages | English |
| President | Dr John Russell |
| Website | http://www.newcomen.com/ |
The Newcomen Society is a British learned society formed to foster the study of the history of engineering and technology. It was founded in London in 1920 and takes its name from Thomas Newcomen, one of the inventors associated with the early development of the steam engine, who is widely considered the "father of the Industrial Revolution".
The motto of the society is actorum memores simul affectamus agenda, meaning "mindful of things that have taken place, at the same time we strive after things yet to be done". The choice of a griffin regardant for the logo was to symbolise vigilance and looking backward while going forward.[1]
The Society is based at the Science Museum in London (there are also regional branches in Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol and Portsmouth), and is concerned with all branches of engineering: civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, aeronautical, marine, chemical and manufacturing as well as biography and invention.
It publishes the Transactions of the Newcomen Society as well as occasional extra publications.
An American branch was established in 1923, but the Newcomen Society of the United States was entirely separate from its UK counterpart in 2007, when the chairman and trustees announced the society's closure.
[edit] Notable Society members
- L. T. C. Rolt
- Hugh Pembroke Vowles
- Rex Wailes
- Paul Wilson, Baron Wilson of High Wray (President, 1973 to 1975)
