Text of p1 of article on 2nd Lord Nelson of Stafford in Summer 1966 issue of Project.

 It is one of those chances of birth that Henry George Nelson became the second Baron Nelson in 1962 at the age of 45.

It is no chance that Lord Nelson is the head of the English Electric Company, employing 84,000 people with manufacturing plants as well as technical, sales and service organisations spread across the world.  Nothing but over‑all knowledge of an industry could have qualified him to guide the fortunes of a great industrial complex affecting the livelihood and lives of so many people.

Whatever advantages came at birth, only determined work could bring him an honours degree in the mechanical sciences tripos. Only ability could qualify him for full membership of three engineering institutions.

Lord Nelson is a man who has experienced the thrills of making pieces of metal into working parts of a machine. He has studied many aspects of engineering and been a member of teams on the shop floor. Now he is a leader in a great and expanding industry. So his views on engineering and on the type of young persons who are needed in it are worth study.

Here are some of the questions put to him, and his answers:

Q. Your father headed a large electrical engineering group. Was this the reason that you entered the world of electrical engineering?

Lord Nelson: It is true that I was brought up in the environment, but I was always interested in working with my hands and in creating something. It also happened that mathematics was my best subject, and mathematics is important in all engineering.  In saying this1 I don't mean that you have to be a genius or even that you must reach a very high level. There is plenty of room for people of medium standard.

Perhaps one of the early reasons for my enthusiasm was that while still at school I was able to spend part of my holiday in factories. I found this so stimulating and useful that I am glad to say we still encourage people at school to do the same thing.

Q. What are your personal feelings about the profession?

Lord Nelson: In the first place the term engineering. covers many professions ‑ the engineer would ca]l them arts ‑ and offers a tremendous variety of opportunity for anybody entering its world.

There are two types of people‑those whose interests are widespread and those who concentrate in a narrow field and tend to specialise. Both are important, although my own interests have always covered a broad field.  Because of this my own career has given me opportunities of seeing many aspects of the profession and its activities and has led me to senior managerial responsibilities. This is not unique. The same experiences and possibilities for advancement are open to everybody. This isn't all, either. The industry really tries to make sure that everybody has a good chance to take advantage of all the openings.

I think the profession of engineering is extremely exciting.  In fact I find it hard to describe the immense emotional reaction to the experience of being con‑

34                                                                                                       PROJECT SUMMER 1966