| RefNo | PB/4/7/2/13 |
| Previous numbers | D.109 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | 'Operational research and nuclear weapons' |
| Date | 1961 |
| Description | Lecture given to Royal United Services Institution (RUSI), 22nd March 1961, and published in the 'Journal' of the Institution, 'Encounter' and 'Studies of War'.
In this paper Blackett reviewed the achievements of Operational Research, and commanded unfavourably on the writings of the Rand Corporation [USA] Operational Research studies, and in particular the article by Charles Hitch criticising British Naval Operational Research (see D.81, D.115).
Flder includes 17pp typescript of introduction to lecture as delivered, and correspondence, February-May, with colleagues, all commending Blackett's wartime work and the stand he took in the lecture/publications above, and deploring some of the current trends in American scientific and defence thinking.
Some of the letters contain detailed comments on Blackett's paper, and carry Blackett's annotations and underscoring.
Correspondence (in chronological order):
Dennis Gabor
Solly Zuckerman
James R Newton
CP Snow
Sir Basil Liddell-Hart
David Watkin Waters (on early maritime 'operational research') |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA6123 | Gabor; Dennis (1900 - 1979) | 1900 - 1979 |
| NA8290 | Tizard; Sir; Henry Thomas (1885 - 1959) | 1885 - 1959 |
| NA3607 | Zuckerman; Solly (1904 - 1993); Baron Zuckerman of Burnham Thorpe | 1904 - 1993 |