Newcomen Society facts for kids
Logo of the Newcomen Society
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| Named after | Thomas Newcomen |
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| Formation | 1920 |
| Type | Learned society |
| Purpose | Promotion and study of the history of engineering and technology |
| Headquarters | The Science Museum |
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Official language
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English |
| Website | http://newcomen.com/ |
The Newcomen Society is a special group of people from around the world. They love to learn about and celebrate the history of engineering and technology. Think of it as a club for experts and enthusiasts who are fascinated by how machines and inventions have changed our world.
The society started in London, England, in 1920. It is named after Thomas Newcomen. He was a very important inventor who helped create the early steam engine. Many people call him the "father of the Industrial Revolution." This was a time when new machines changed how things were made and how people lived.
Contents
What the Newcomen Society Does
The Newcomen Society studies all kinds of engineering. This includes:
- Civil engineering: Building things like bridges and roads.
- Mechanical engineering: Designing machines and tools.
- Electrical engineering: Working with electricity.
- Electronic engineering: Creating electronic devices.
- Structural engineering: Making sure buildings are strong.
- Aeronautical engineering: Designing airplanes and spacecraft.
- Marine engineering: Working with ships and boats.
- Chemical engineering: Using chemistry to make products.
- Manufacturing: How things are made in factories.
They also learn about the lives of important inventors and how new ideas came to be.
Where the Society is Based
The main office of the Newcomen Society is at the Science Museum in London. This is a great place for them to be, as the museum is full of amazing inventions and historical machines.
The society also has smaller groups, called regional branches, in different parts of England. These include places like Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol, Portsmouth, and Sheffield. There are also branches in Scotland, in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The Newcomen Society shares what they learn in several ways:
- They publish a magazine called the International Journal for the History of Engineering and Technology. It used to be called the Transactions of the Newcomen Society.
- They also send out a newsletter four times a year called Newcomen Links.
- Members can look at old issues of their journal online.
- The society has a YouTube channel. There, you can watch videos of their meetings, conferences, and online talks about engineering history.
The Society's Motto and Symbol
The Newcomen Society has a special motto in Latin: actorum memores simul affectamus agenda. This means "mindful of things that have taken place, at the same time we strive after things yet to be done." It reminds them to learn from the past while also looking to the future.
Their logo is a griffin looking backward. A griffin is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. This symbol shows that the society is watchful and remembers history while still moving forward.
The Newcomen Society is also a registered charity. This means it is a non-profit group that works for the public good.
The American Branch
In 1923, a separate group called the Newcomen Society of the United States was started in America. Even though it had a similar name, it was completely separate from the UK society. The American group stopped operating in 2007.
Notable People
Many important people have been part of the Newcomen Society, including:
- Henry Winram Dickinson (who helped start the society)
- L. T. C. Rolt
- Alec Skempton
- Hugh Pembroke Vowles
- Rex Wailes
- Paul Wilson, Baron Wilson of High Wray
