Cold War, Hot Science: Applied Research in Britain's Defence Laboratories, 1945-1990

by Robert Bud (Editor), Philip Gummett (Editor)

This book presents an authoritative history of post-war British defence research as related to the establishments that, at the time of writing and first publication, formed part of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). DERA included such well-known centres as the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment at Malvern, and the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down. Collectively these have carried out a very high proportion of all the scientific research conducted in Britain since the Second World War. Study of these vast, but traditionally secretive, institutions is vital to understanding science in post-war Britain. In addition to research towards new weapons, the establishments have maintained high levels of policy-relevant expertise, providing advice to government and even carried out some manufacturing. Until now their contribution has been little understood. This is the first systematic treatment of their history, putting the applied science of the military sector in its technological, military and social context. Developments and areas of work have been selected for inclusion primarily on the basis

426 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like hard facts this book is for you. It makes absolutely zero effort to engage with a wide audience or to appeal to anyone who has less than a fanatical interest in the less well known aspects of military technology. Split into several different section ranging from Infra Red detectors to Chemical and Biological Warfare via Tank Design the text is dry as dust but utterly fascinating for those that have an interest.
I do - hence the five star review.
For the majority of the world even one star would be stretching it.