Post by Diarist on Jan 21, 2017 14:03:40 GMT 1
The meeting in Cambridge didn't last long but it was very constructive. Although Henry is at the Imperial College London we are meeting at Cambridge because of a scientist called Allen Herries Wilson. Henry has met him before and since he is Bletchley-wise I could discuss this idea with him. Wilson is an expert on semiconductors, probably the #1 in the UK, and Henry agrees we should have a chat with this Alan Wilson. We met in a private study at Emmanuel College and Henry introduced me.
"Don't worry, Alan. I'm not here to call you up into the military rather to pick your brains on semiconductors."
"I have nothing against the military, Sir Robert. How can I help you?"
"My degree is in business economics so as you can imagine we were taught very little about quantum theory and semiconductors. I've also heard that there is little interest here in the work you did in Leipzig."
"Unfortunately that is true and I am thinking of moving to nuclear physics. Isn't that why Professor Tizard is here?"
"No. Henry is our Science Advisor in my part of the Ministry of Defence and I am not here because of nuclear physics, but I am interested in semiconductors. What I do know is that they are a solid state equivalent of a diode and can convert AC to DC in rectifiers. Is that right?"
"In principle."
"Is there a solid state version of the triode?"
"No and before you ask it is because we haven't found the optimal materials for such a device yet."
"Alan, we have a secret project that needs such a device to replace countless triodes and we would like you to head a team to produce this 'tri-conductor' device."
"Do I have a choice?"
"Alan, let's pretend you agree to head the team. This project is so important that no one would dream of putting you and team in uniform to fight a war somewhere. It has to do with National Security and we wish to produce the most advance calculators in the world. We believe that binary mathematics is much better than decimal stuff and that is where triodes come into the equation. Do you really want to turn this offer down?"
"No, I don't."
"Good, I need you to sign this secrecy document because of what Henry is going to show you. There is a second document between you and me referring to the triode project."
"So I'll become a government scientist?"
"Also no. The project which Henry will show you is a government run project but this triode project is a private one and I am funding it."
"I've signed it too, Alan. It doesn't bite," Henry told him. "Just don't talk to anyone about the project or you go to jail for a long time."
"Alan, you'll have all the funding you need but you must keep formal records so that we can file for patents, etc."
"And who do I report to?"
"Henry if it is to do with the government project. Me, or my designate, if it concerns the triode device. Do you have the names of qualified people in Germany?"
"Yes." He gave me seven names.
"Thank you, Alan. My job is taking me overseas for a few weeks so I'll contact you again when I return. It has been a pleasure meeting you."
"Don't worry, Alan. I'm not here to call you up into the military rather to pick your brains on semiconductors."
"I have nothing against the military, Sir Robert. How can I help you?"
"My degree is in business economics so as you can imagine we were taught very little about quantum theory and semiconductors. I've also heard that there is little interest here in the work you did in Leipzig."
"Unfortunately that is true and I am thinking of moving to nuclear physics. Isn't that why Professor Tizard is here?"
"No. Henry is our Science Advisor in my part of the Ministry of Defence and I am not here because of nuclear physics, but I am interested in semiconductors. What I do know is that they are a solid state equivalent of a diode and can convert AC to DC in rectifiers. Is that right?"
"In principle."
"Is there a solid state version of the triode?"
"No and before you ask it is because we haven't found the optimal materials for such a device yet."
"Alan, we have a secret project that needs such a device to replace countless triodes and we would like you to head a team to produce this 'tri-conductor' device."
"Do I have a choice?"
"Alan, let's pretend you agree to head the team. This project is so important that no one would dream of putting you and team in uniform to fight a war somewhere. It has to do with National Security and we wish to produce the most advance calculators in the world. We believe that binary mathematics is much better than decimal stuff and that is where triodes come into the equation. Do you really want to turn this offer down?"
"No, I don't."
"Good, I need you to sign this secrecy document because of what Henry is going to show you. There is a second document between you and me referring to the triode project."
"So I'll become a government scientist?"
"Also no. The project which Henry will show you is a government run project but this triode project is a private one and I am funding it."
"I've signed it too, Alan. It doesn't bite," Henry told him. "Just don't talk to anyone about the project or you go to jail for a long time."
"Alan, you'll have all the funding you need but you must keep formal records so that we can file for patents, etc."
"And who do I report to?"
"Henry if it is to do with the government project. Me, or my designate, if it concerns the triode device. Do you have the names of qualified people in Germany?"
"Yes." He gave me seven names.
"Thank you, Alan. My job is taking me overseas for a few weeks so I'll contact you again when I return. It has been a pleasure meeting you."