Mechanical Engineering in Queensland : Prof. Mansergh Shaw

Abstract

THE appomtment of Mr. Mansergh Shaw to the new chair of mecchanical engineering in the University of Queensland, Ealsbane, Australia, marks another important stop in an unusually successful engineering career. It the interesting to note that, after serving a normal engineering apprenticeship with Messrs. Davy Brothers, Prof. Shaw became an undergraduate at the University of Sheffield through the award of a Whitworth scholarship ; he graduated in 1935. with first-class honours and was awarded the Mappin Medal. Thereafter he became a lecturer at the University of Sheffield and conducted research work on fluid flow through nozzles and on other subjects. He was appointed senior lecturer in engineering at the University of Melbourne in 1938, a position which he occupied with conspicuous success for some ten years under Prof. A. E. Burstall. During the War, in addition to undertaking special defence training duties, Shaw was responsible for organising the University workshops at Melbourne for research on new methods of production and' on the precision jnanufacture of optical and other instruments required by the Australian Defence Forces; At the same time he was engaged upon new investigations of transient cutting forces and of factors affecting osurface finish. This research is reflected in a number of published works on engineering production methods. On his return to England last year on extended leave, he was appointed as the first Tube Investments Research Fellow in engineering production in the University of Birmingham. Prof. Shaw has an important task awaiting his arrival at Brisbane, where he will have to build up a new Department of Mechanical Engineering. His wide experience of engineering practice, teaching and research, and his great energy and enthusiasm, augur well for the future progress of engineering education in Queensland.