Frederick Brian Pickering facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frederick Brian Pickering
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Frederick Brian Pickering
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Frederick Brian Pickering
17 March 1927 Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
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| Died | 27 February 2017 (aged 89) Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England
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| Occupation | Metallurgist |
| Years active | 1960s until 1990s |
| Spouse(s) | Shirley Pickering |
Frederick Brian Pickering (born March 17, 1927 – died February 27, 2017) was an important English scientist. He was a metallurgist, which means he studied and worked with metals, especially steel. His amazing research helped create much stronger and lighter types of steel. This was a big deal because steel is used in so many things, from buildings to cars!
A Master of Metals
Frederick Pickering's work in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s was very important. He laid the groundwork for how we understand and design strong, light steel today. His discoveries helped engineers create better materials for many uses.
He wrote a famous book called Physical Metallurgy and the Design of Steels. This book was first published in 1978. Even today, it is a recommended book for students studying engineering and materials science at universities. It teaches them how to make and use different types of steel.
Early Life and Career
Frederick Pickering was born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, in 1927. Sheffield is a city famous for its steel industry. He was also the cousin of a well-known footballer, Jack Pickering.
In 1943, when he was just 16, he started working at the Central Research Department of the United Steel Companies. He began as a junior assistant in the Physics Section. Over time, he moved up to become a research assistant, then a senior metallographer, and later a research supervisor. Eventually, he became the head of the Physical Metallurgy Section.
After the steel companies became nationalized in 1967, he continued his important work. He became an Assistant Research Manager and then a Research Manager in Physical Metallurgy. Finally, he was the Product Metallurgy Research Manager at the Swinden Laboratories of British Steel Corporation.
In 1972, Frederick Pickering became a Reader in Metallurgy at Sheffield City Polytechnic. This school is now known as Sheffield Hallam University. He later became an Emeritus Professor there in 1989. This means he was a respected professor who had retired but kept his title.
Awards and Recognition
Frederick Pickering received many important awards for his contributions to science and the steel industry.
- In 1968, he was given the Sidney Gilchrist Thomas Medal.
- In 1971, he received the Sir Robert Hadfield Medal.
- Both of these awards came from the Iron and Steel Institute.
- In 1994, he was awarded the Bessemer Gold Medal. This is a very high honor given for outstanding service to the steel industry by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
- In 1987, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. This is a special title for top engineers.
Throughout his career, Frederick Pickering wrote over 160 research papers. These papers shared his discoveries and ideas with other scientists around the world.
He passed away in 2017. He was survived by his wife, Shirley Pickering, and their three children.
