Board of Invention and Research facts for kids
 |
|
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1915 |
| Dissolved | 1918 |
| Superseding agency |
|
| Jurisdiction | Government of the United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Admiralty Building Whitehall London |
| Parent agency | Admiralty |
The Board of Invention and Research (BIR) was a special group in Britain. It was started in 1915 by the Admiralty, which was in charge of the Royal Navy (Britain's navy). The BIR's main job was to ask smart scientists for help. They wanted new ideas to solve problems with naval tactics and technology during World War I. It worked alongside other groups like the Munitions Inventions Department and the Air Inventions Committee.
How the Board of Invention and Research Started
The Board of Invention and Research (BIR) had its first meeting on July 19, 1915. This meeting took place at the Metropole Hotel in London. The BIR stayed at this hotel for a while. Later, the board and its science labs moved to a permanent home. Their new headquarters was at Victory House on Cockspur Street.
The BIR was led by Sir Jackie Fisher. He used to be the head of the Royal Navy. Sir Jackie Fisher helped bring together many scientists. These scientists worked in six different groups. Each group focused on a different area of science or technology.
Their main task was to look at new invention ideas. These ideas came from regular people. The scientists would then decide if these inventions could help the navy. They wanted to use new ideas to improve naval technology and fighting methods. From 1915 to 1918, the BIR looked at more than 41,000 different ideas.
In 1918, the Board of Invention and Research was replaced. A new group took its place called the Scientific Research and Experiment Department. This new department kept working until 1946. After that, it was reorganized into the Royal Naval Scientific Service.
- Board of Admiralty, Board of Invention and Research: This group worked from 1915 to 1918.
- Board of Admiralty, Scientific Research and Experiment Department: This group took over from 1918 to 1946.
- Board of Admiralty, Royal Naval Scientific Service: This group continued the work from 1946 to 1964.
- Ministry of Defence, Department of the Chief Scientist (Navy): This department was active from 1964 to 1984.
