Oral history of British science

Forrest, Michael (Part 4 of 14). An Oral History of British Science.

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    00:24:03

  • Shelf mark

    C1379/48

  • Subjects

    Physics

  • Recording date

    2011-04-26

  • Recording locations

    Interviewee's home, Abingdon

  • Interviewees

    Forrest, Michael, 1934- (speaker, male)

  • Interviewers

    Lean, Thomas (speaker, male)

  • Abstract

    Part 4: Remarks on university: funding, County Council grant; light lunches; social activities; growth of university campus today; meeting wife Anita in first year c.1955, through friends Ozzie and Jean; [05:45] MF not very political; deciding to get married after finishing college; applied physics with electronics course, learning about early OC72 transistors, electronics and optics. [08:27] Discussion about MF interest in optics: never needing to go to a quantum understanding of physics; equipment used; link to photography; photo-detectors, spectrometers. [11:15] Remarks on interest in photography from a teenager, photography society at university, anecdote about nude model. [16:20] Remarks on: advances of transistors over valves; applied nature of physics course; atomic energy, aeronautics and materials topics; limited idea of what to do after university; value of workshop course in giving him hands on skills to get equipment made; [pause] value of sandwich course in allow scientist to communicate with technicians and support staff; [22:00] considering jobs advertised for Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough; Atomic Energy jobs not advertised. [23:00] Story about Harwell scientist Dr [Eric] Pulsford giving a lecture at university, MF and friend Albert Packwood applying for job at Harwell.

  • Description

    Life story interview with physicist Dr Michael Forrest.

  • Related transcripts

    Dr Michael Forrest interviewed by Thomas Lean: full transcript of the interview

  • Related links

    Visit this interviewee's page on the 'Voices of Science' web resource

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