Corporate Body
CSIR Metrology Section (1939 - 1945)
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
- From
- 1939
Australia - To
- 1945
- Functions
- Meteorology and Industrial or scientific research
Summary
The Metrology Section was established in 1939 as part of the CSIR/O National Standards Laboratory. In 1945 the Section gained Divisional status, becoming the Division of Metrology.
Details
From "CSIRO research fro Australia" (1962) pdf page 48:
" . . . it was not until 1937 that the report of a Secondary Industries Testing Research Advisory Committee (of which Sir John was a member) Jed to the setting up of a National Standards Laboratory within C.S.I.R. 1t was decided that the Laboratory should consist of the Section of Metrology, Physics, and Electrotechnology.
In 1938 leaders of the three groups were chosen. Mr. N. A. Esserman (later the first Director of the Laboratory) came from the Munitions Supply Laboratory to take charge of Metrology, and two Sydney University men, Dr. . H. Briggs and Dr. D. M. Myers, were appointed Officer -in-Charge or the Physics and Electrotechnology Sections. A year later, construction of the Laboratory began in the grounds or the University of Sydney.
When the war broke out in 1939, the three Officers-in-Charge were overseas, where they had been looking at standards research and seeking standards equipment. Fortunately, some equipment was obtained, and when the Officers-in-Charge returned from oversea it was possible for the Laboratory to commence functioning and devote its entire effort to defence work. The Metrology Section certified gauges, made micrometers slip gauges and measuring equipment, and provided a calibra tion service for the Ministry of Munitions and the inspection branches of the armed services."
Related entries
Timeline
1939 - 1945 CSIR Metrology Section
1945 - 1962 CSIR/O Division of Metrology
1962 - 1974 CSIRO Division of Applied Physics [I]
1974 - 1979 National Measurement Laboratory - CSIRO
1979 - 1996 CSIRO Division of Applied Physics [II]
1996 - CSIRO Division of Telecommunications and Industrial Physics
isPartOf
Published resources
Books
- CSIRO, CSIRO research for Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (Canberra: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organisation, 1962), 64 pp, https://www.eoas.info/bib-pdf/ASBS15940.pdf. pdf page 48. Details
- Schedvin, C.B; Trace, K., Historical Directory of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, 1926-1976 (Canberra: CSIRO, 1978), 101 pp. https://csiropedia.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/csiro_historical_directory_1926_1976.pdf. Details
Resources
- Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1477022. Details
Resource Sections
- 'Primary description of agency CA 4377; CSIRO, Division of Applied Physics. Registration of entity: 23 September 1987', in RecordSearch, National Archives of Australia, 2000, https://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?Number=CA%204377. Details
Ailie Smith
Created: 6 July 2000, Last modified: 23 April 2025
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