Homepage

Record

RefNoEC/1969/26
Previous numbersCert XVIII, 137
LevelItem
TitlePilkington, Lionel Alexander Bethune: certificate of election to the Royal Society
DescriptionCitation typed
CitationFor many years glass manufacturers have sought a method of making flat glass sheet that avoided the need to grind and polish it. In 1952 Alastair Pilkington conceived the idea of floating a continuous ribbon of glass on molten metal so that both surfaces would be truly flat. The development of the idea involved formidable difficulties at each stage of laboratory, pilot plant and commercial production. It was not until 1959 that the successful full-scale output was achieved. The use of an applied electromotive force avoided certain difficulties arising at the tin/glass interface and also enabled the characteristics of the glass to be changed by introducing different metallic ions at a rapid rate. Since then the process has been improved to give greater flexibility and different types of glass. It has now been licensed by every large plate glass manufacturer in the world. In this field Britain has an unchallenged supremacy. In all this Pilkington was the leader of the development teams and their success has been due largely to his ingenuity in overcoming difficulties and to his courage in sustaining a persistent effort over several years, without any assurance that ultimate success would be achieved.
AccessStatusOpen
Image

Pilkington, Lionel Alexander Bethune: certificate of election to the Royal Society

Fellows associated with this archive
CodePersonNameDates
NA510Pilkington; Sir; Lionel Alexander Bethune (1920 - 1995)1920 - 1995
Add to My Items
    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance

    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance

    Useful Links

    Collection highlights

    Browse the records of some of our collections, which cover all branches of science and date from the 12th century onwards. These include the published works of Fellows of the Royal Society, personal papers of eminent scientists, letters and manuscripts sent to the Society or presented at meetings, and administrative records documenting the Society's activities since our foundation in 1660.

    Campi Phlegraei
    Campi Phlegraei
    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance
    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance
    Referees’ Reports
    Referees’ Reports
    Photographs of British algae: cyanotype impressions
    Photographs of British algae: cyanotype impressions
    Browse Collections

    The Royal Society

    The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of
    the world's most eminent scientists and is the
    oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
    Registered charity number 207043

    Website design ©CalmView



    CONTACT US

    + 44 207 451 2500
    (Lines open Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00. Excludes bank holidays)

    6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

    Email Us →

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe to our newsletters to be updated with the
    latest news on innovation, events, articles and reports.

    Subscribe →

    © CalmView