Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The late Professor Eric Laithwaite demonstrates fact of science using a rather large and heavy wheel

Eric Laithwaite, (1921-1997), late of Imperial College, London, was an expert on linear induction motors.

His research in later years into gyroscopes was, and still is, a topic of much discussion within the scientific community. Here, filmed in 1983, he demonstrates the principles of a gyro using a rather large and heavy wheel.


YouTube link.

You can read more about Professor Laithwaite and his scientific achievements here.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amazing~ would have been awesome to have sat in one of his classes. Bet that would have sustained my interest in physics lol

Yaffle said...

I imagine the health & safety people would have something to say about that today!

Anonymous said...

Laithwaite's obsession with the idea of gyros being an undiscovered method of propulsion, caused him to be discredited by the scientific community, and badly blighted the remaining career of a distinguished scientist.