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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251001T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251001T210000
DTSTAMP:20260526T120253
CREATED:20250929T110540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T110540Z
UID:16613-1759345200-1759352400@www.newcomen.com
SUMMARY:'The Hallmarking of Silver and Gold' by Dr Jim Andrew
DESCRIPTION:Photo Credit: Rodolph at the English-language Wikipedia \nJoining us IN PERSON – just turn up\, there’s no need to register\nJoining us ONLINE – click on this zoom link before the event to join in \nThis is a joint event with Thinktank\, Birmingham Science Museum \nThe UK’s consumer protection started some seven centuries ago with the marking of gold and silver products to show purity\, date tested and the maker. The method of establishing the purity of silver products evolved over many years with a need for both accuracy and the time taken to test items submitted for assaying\, particularly in busy assay offices.  \nJim Andrew will explain the system and how to access the details of date and maker\, with examples from the last two centuries. \nAbout the Speaker\nDr Jim Andrew is a former museum manager at Birmingham Science Museum\, and is currently Chairman of Newcomen Midlands.
URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/the-hallmarking-of-silver-and-gold-by-dr-jim-andrew/
LOCATION:BIRMINGHAM Think Tank\, Birmingham Science Museum\,\, Curzon Street\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B4 7XG
CATEGORIES:Shed Talks (Newcomen Online),UK - Midlands Branch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/25-10-01_TheHallmarkingOfSilverGold_1920x1280.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - Midland Branch":MAILTO:midlands@newcomen.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251105T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251105T210000
DTSTAMP:20260526T120253
CREATED:20251103T145417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T152945Z
UID:16669-1762369200-1762376400@www.newcomen.com
SUMMARY:'History of Research in British Gas - Part 2' by Chris Hodrien
DESCRIPTION:Photo Credit: Random Group \nJoining us IN PERSON – just turn up\, there’s no need to register\nJoining us ONLINE – click on this zoom link before the event to join in \nThis is a joint event with Thinktank\, Birmingham Science Museum \nIn April 2025\, Chris Hodrien gave the first part of his account of the history of research in British Gas\, including an introduction to the gas industry in the United Kingdom\, and the consolidation and nationalisation of the industry in the mid-20th-century. \nThe basic production technology remained unchanged into the 1950s\, with gradual evolutionary equipment improvements\, but formal R&D on both production and utilisation was considerably accelerated first during WorldWar 2\, then by the nationalisation of the industry in 1948 and again with the formation of British Gas Corporation in 1973\, forming a powerful fully vertically-integrated organisation covering all aspects of gas technology. This led to two successive and very successful total technical revolutions\, from coal carbonisation to steam reforming of light oils in the 1960s-70s followed immediately by the conversion to North Sea natural gas in the 1970s-80s. \nBy the time of the privatisation in the early 1990s\, British Gas was one of the most powerful\, modern\, technically advanced and profitable industries in the UK\, with an R&D budget of c. £55M/year and a long term 25-year R&D strategy. \nIn part 2 of his talk\, Chris covers the later technical developments that resulted from the world-class research that he was involved in. \nAbout the Speaker\nChris Hodrien is the son of two industrial chemists who met in the laboratory. He formed an intent to become an industrial Chemical Engineer at about age 11 and had by far the largest home chemistry set in the neighbourhood! Chris graduated with an M.A. in Chemical Engineering from Pembroke College\, University of Cambridge in 1973 and went straight to work in cutting-edge world-class gas production R&D at Midlands Research Station\, Solihull. \nOne important role (1974) was the introduction of brand-new computer-aided gasification process simulation methods\, another (1980-83) was as team leader of the initial pilot plant for the world’s highest efficiency coal gasification process. A project for advanced low-cost drying of natural gas (1996-2000) won an internal Chairman’s Award for Chris. \nSubsequently\, the work was relocated to a new integrated national Gas Research Centre at Loughborough after privatisation in 1993\, under the new banner of Advantica plc.
URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/history-of-research-in-british-gas-part-2-by-chris-hodrien/
LOCATION:BIRMINGHAM Think Tank\, Birmingham Science Museum\,\, Curzon Street\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B4 7XG
CATEGORIES:Shed Talks (Newcomen Online),UK - Midlands Branch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/25-04-02_HistoryOfResearchInBritishGasV2_1920x1280.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - Midland Branch":MAILTO:midlands@newcomen.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251203T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251203T210000
DTSTAMP:20260526T120253
CREATED:20251124T120226Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251126T103736Z
UID:16682-1764788400-1764795600@www.newcomen.com
SUMMARY:'The History of Measurement of Oxygen in Medicine' by Dr. John Moyle
DESCRIPTION:Photo Credit: Uusi Ajaja Creative Commons \nJoining us IN PERSON – just turn up\, there’s no need to register\nJoining us ONLINE – click on this zoom link before the event to join in \nThis is a joint event with Thinktank\, Birmingham Science Museum \nOf the gases involved in life\, oxygen is the most important!\n \nThis lecture relates the history of measurement of oxygen in medicine\, as a gas\, in solution in bodily fluids and on haemoglobin; from the Haldane apparatus to Pulse Oximetry. \nAs a gas: \n\nHaldane\nParamagnetic\n(Raman spectroscopy)*\n(Mass spectroscopy)*\nAcoustic\nFuel Cell\n\nDissolved in Plama: \n\nClark electrode\n\nAttached to Haemoglobin: \n\nNon-invasive “Oximetry”\nPulse Oximetry\n\n*Research only \nAbout the Speaker\nDr John Moyle is a Chartered Engineer\, retired physician & anaesthetist plus historian with a particular interest in telegraphy and medical technology.
URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/the-history-of-measurement-of-oxygen-in-medicine-by-dr-john-moyle/
LOCATION:BIRMINGHAM Think Tank\, Birmingham Science Museum\,\, Curzon Street\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B4 7XG
CATEGORIES:Shed Talks (Newcomen Online),UK - Midlands Branch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/25-12-03_HistoryofMeasurementofOxygeninMedicine_1920x1280.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - Midland Branch":MAILTO:midlands@newcomen.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260107T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260107T210000
DTSTAMP:20260526T120253
CREATED:20260102T095533Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260102T150342Z
UID:16730-1767812400-1767819600@www.newcomen.com
SUMMARY:'A short version of the long history of automation on the railways' by Felix Schmid
DESCRIPTION:Photo Credit: Benutzer:Bukk \nJoining us IN PERSON – just turn up\, there’s no need to register\nJoining us ONLINE – click on this zoom link before the event to join in \nThis is a joint event with Thinktank\, Birmingham Science Museum \nThis lecture was originally given as the Presidential Address to the Newcomen Society in London in 2025. \nThe presentation will commence by introducing very early mechanical systems\, including some that were used on waggonways 300 years ago. These were quite primitive but reduced the labour requirement\, e.g. by automating passing loops on tramways. \nThe automatic systems that came about in response to the Regulation of Railways Act 1889\, which made the railway much safer and also improved its economy\, will be discussed\, followed by the origins of the train stop and warning systems that came into operation in the early 20th century. The electronic safety and operational management systems instigated by computerisation\, where British Rail had a leading role\, will be reviewed. \nThe presentation will finish with some reflections on fully automated railways and the role of machine learning and what is often termed artificial intelligence. Throughout the talk\, the speaker will comment on the importance of including human skill and perception in automated systems for the railway. \nAbout the Speaker\nFelix Schmid is an Emeritus Professor of Railway Systems Engineering at the University of Birmingham and\, currently\, serves as the President of the Newcomen Society. \nHe has had a long-standing interest in railway systems and\, more particularly\, the automation of activities necessary for the safe and efficient operation of railways. Some automated systems support the work of people\, others are carrying out tasks without regular interactions with humans.
URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/a-short-version-of-the-long-history-of-automation-on-the-railways-by-felix-schmid/
LOCATION:BIRMINGHAM Think Tank\, Birmingham Science Museum\,\, Curzon Street\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B4 7XG
CATEGORIES:Shed Talks (Newcomen Online),UK - Midlands Branch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/26-01-07_AutomationOfTheRailways_1920x1280.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - Midland Branch":MAILTO:midlands@newcomen.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260204T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260204T210000
DTSTAMP:20260526T120253
CREATED:20260203T092926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T162607Z
UID:16770-1770231600-1770238800@www.newcomen.com
SUMMARY:'Before Valves: The Amazing Ingenuity of the "Electricians" before the Thermionic Valve' by Dr John Moyle
DESCRIPTION:Photo Credit: Wellcome Collection (1911 – Copyright free) \n\nJoining us IN PERSON – just turn up\, there’s no need to register\nJoining us ONLINE – click on this zoom link before the event to join in \n\n\n\nThis is a joint event with Thinktank\, Birmingham Science Museum \n\nMan’s ingenuity before the invention of the thermionic valve was amazing!  \nThis lecture will summarize the early methods of wireless transmission and reception & amplification. \nAbout the Speaker\nDr John Moyle is a Chartered Engineer\, retired physician & anaesthetist plus historian with a particular interest in telegraphy and medical technology.
URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/before-valves-the-amazing-ingenuity-of-the-electricians-before-the-thermionic-valve-by-dr-john-moyle/
LOCATION:BIRMINGHAM Think Tank\, Birmingham Science Museum\,\, Curzon Street\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B4 7XG
CATEGORIES:Shed Talks (Newcomen Online),UK - Midlands Branch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/26-02-04_BeforeValves_1920x1280.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - Midland Branch":MAILTO:midlands@newcomen.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260304T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260304T210000
DTSTAMP:20260526T120253
CREATED:20260302T154257Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T091016Z
UID:16817-1772650800-1772658000@www.newcomen.com
SUMMARY:'Housing the Great Exhibition in 1851' by Dr. Jim Andrew
DESCRIPTION:Image Credit: The Original Crystal Palace in Hyde Park – Painted for H. R. H. Prince Albert by Messrs Nash\, Haghe & Roberts R.A. \nJoining us IN PERSON – just turn up\, there’s no need to register\nJoining us ONLINE – click on this zoom link before the event to join in \nThis is a joint event with Thinktank\, Birmingham Science Museum \nThe Great Exhibition planned for the summer of 1851 was languishing in a committee until\, in June 1850\, Joseph Paxton was asked for a design of a building to go in Hyde Park\, London.  \nThe temporary building was possibly the largest single constructed building anywhere in the World\, yet it was designed within a month and opened in ten months. \nAbout the Speaker\nDr Jim Andrew is a former museum manager at Birmingham Science Museum\, and is currently Chairman of Newcomen Midlands.
URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/housing-the-great-exhibition-in-1851-by-dr-jim-andrew/
LOCATION:BIRMINGHAM Think Tank\, Birmingham Science Museum\,\, Curzon Street\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B4 7XG
CATEGORIES:Shed Talks (Newcomen Online),UK - Midlands Branch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26-03-04_HousingTheGreatExhibitionin1851-V3_1920x1280.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - Midland Branch":MAILTO:midlands@newcomen.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260401T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260401T210000
DTSTAMP:20260526T120253
CREATED:20260330T083638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T083638Z
UID:16861-1775070000-1775077200@www.newcomen.com
SUMMARY:'150 Years of the Telephone'
DESCRIPTION:Photo Credit: United States patents (in public domain) \nJoining us IN PERSON – just turn up\, there’s no need to register \nThis is a joint event with Thinktank\, Birmingham Science Museum \nOn 10 March 1876\, 150 years ago\, Alexander Graham Bell made what is usually considered to be the first telephone call\, when he spoke the words “Mr. Watson—Come here—I want to see you” into his experimental apparatus.\n \nTo mark this anniversary\, Newcomen Midlands\, in a change to the usual format of our meetings\, will be showing two videos produced by the Connections Musem in Seattle\, USA\, that describe how Bell submitted his patent\, and how his first transmitter (microphone) and receiver (earpiece) worked.  \nThe films show the museum’s attempts to make a working replica of his original apparatus.
URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/150-years-of-the-telephone/
LOCATION:BIRMINGHAM Think Tank\, Birmingham Science Museum\,\, Curzon Street\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B4 7XG
CATEGORIES:UK - Midlands Branch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26-04-01_150YearsOfTheTelephone_1920x1280.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - Midland Branch":MAILTO:midlands@newcomen.com
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