Catalogue description Records of the National Engineering Laboratory

During the 1920s some research in mechanical engineering was carried out under the auspices of the Engineering Co-ordinating Research Board, the work being undertaken mainly at the National Physical Laboratory, though some research into the fatigue of materials was carried out at selected universities under arrangements made through the Aeronautical Research Committee. Later a Metallurgy Research Board, established in 1928, supervised programmes of research in this field, still at the National Physical Laboratory, until in 1939 it was dissolved and responsibility for its work passed to the National Physical Laboratory Executive Committee.

In 1944 the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research's Post-war Development Committee declared that a considerable increase in the facilities for research into the problems of mechanical engineering was essential, and at its suggestion a Committee on Mechanical Engineering Research under Dr HL Guy was set up by the Advisory Council in January 1945 to consider the matter. In accordance with the recommendations of this committee a Mechanical Engineering Research Organisation was established by the department in 1946 to conduct and encourage research in mechanical engineering on a large scale.

In 1947 a Mechanical Engineering Research Board was set up to advise generally on the research to be undertaken, to submit annual programmes of research and reports and to advise on the conduct of approved investigations. It was also decided to establish a separate Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory, which was at first housed in temporary accommodation at Thorntonhall and then from 1949 erected by stages at East Kilbride, near Glasgow. Some of its work originated in the National Physical Laboratory, from which it took over most of the work and staff of the Engineering Metrology Section of the Metrology Division and the Engineering Division.

In 1959 the Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory was renamed the National Engineering Laboratory and the board replaced by a small steering committee of the Research Council to direct its work. The committee was assisted by small specialist sub-committees drawn mainly from industry. In 1965 the laboratory was transferred to the control of the Ministry of Technology, in 1970 to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in 1974 to the Department of Industry, and subsequently to the second Department of Trade and Industry. It became an executive agency of the DTI before being wound up in 1995.

Its purpose was to establish the principles and to extend the knowledge of mechanical engineering science so that industry could be provided with the basic information needed to solve particular problems. It carried out research for both the government and the private sector.