This event is both an in-person and on-line event. No need to register – just come along or click this zoom link to join on-line.

The Royal Society of Arts began life as the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce rewarding, among other things, inventions and improvements relating to mechanics, manufactures and chemistry.

This lecture introduces the first century of the Society, then passes by way of some history of engineering drawing and drawing instruments to feature some of the professional draughtsmen used by the Society. Along the way, the lecture exhibits a selection of drawings from the archive.

About the Speaker

Laurence Scales has a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, and subsequently worked for Lloyds Register of Shipping, offshore engineering contractor Brown & Root, and defence electronics manufacturer Thales. Latterly he has been an archive volunteer at both the Royal Institution of Great Britain and the Royal Society of Arts.

Laurence devises and leads London tours themed around the history of science, technology and medicine. His customers have included Imperial College, King’s College London, Purdue University, Ove Arup & Associates, and the FBI.