Journal Article

Author

Stalker, R. J.

Title

The "D" in our R and D

In

Transactions of The Institution of Engineers, Australia: Mechanical Engineering

Imprint

vol. ME16, no. 4, Dec 1991, pp. 227-229

Description

Mech '91 Keynote Paper: Delivered on 8 July 1991

Abstract

AGM Michell was an academic researcher, an inventor, and a development engineer. He began his career at the end of the 19th century, in Australia which was different to the country we know today. It was a collection of successful colonies, boasting a population of some 3.5 million, whom gold and the pastoral industry had made the most prosperous people in the world - at least, in terms of average income per person. It was not a country which depended on R and D as an economic force, but Michell was able to make a very successful career as a gifted and enterprising colonial engineer. A century later, Australia's population has increased by nearly a factor of 5. The basis of our national income has expanded to include minerals more basic than gold, but it is clear that this is not enough to compensate for declining economic competitiveness. For all of this century, we have tried sporadically to establish a strong manufacturing industry, with only limited success. We know that R and D is a 'good thing', but we have not learned to harness it as an economic force. Most of us are not quite sure of how serious this failure may be and, bearing in mind the R and D background of Michell himself, it seems appropriate to tackle this subject in my talk tonight.

Related entries

Awards

• A. G. M. Michell Medal, College of Mechanical Engineering, Institution of Engineers, Australia (1978 - )

  1991 AGM Michell Medal Address

People

• Stalker, Raymond John (1930 - 2014)

  1991 AGM Michell Medal Address