Papers and notes created during J N Aldington's career, including his university education and PHD research; his publications and patents relating to light sources, fluorescent lights, electric discharge lamps; his awards; business travel abroad, particularly post-war travel to Germany where he investigated the German fluorescent light industry for the purpose of making reparations; papers relating to his employment with AEI and Royal Worcester; and tapes of his speeches and lectures. Some personal memorabilia is also listed but the items have been retained by the Aldington family.
A diskette titled, 'J N Aldington archive' can be found at SC MSS 135/K/02.
Language
English.
Admin. history/Biography
Born 2 March 1905. August 1915 to January 1920 attended Balshaw’s Grammar School, Leyland. September 1921 to April 1924 part time at Technical College, Harris Institute, here he gained his BSc in General Physics in 1926 and BSC Special Chemistry in 1928.
March 1920 to May 1923 employed at Britannia Lamp Works, English Electric Co., Preston [other notes state he was a laboratory assistant for Siemens Electric Lamps and Supplies Limited 1920-1923]; May 1923 to July 1928 employed at Siemens Lamp Works, Preston; August 1928 to May 1935 Research Physicist at Siemens Electric Lamps and Supplies, Preston, where he carried out research work on electric discharges through gases and metallic vapours leading to various electric discharge lamps. Promoted to Head of Laboratories May 1935 to May 1938 where he had responsibility for research and control laboratories including Electrical Testing and Standards Lab., Photometric Lab., General Chemical and Physical Labs., and Research Labs. on electric discharges. From May 1938 to May 1948 he became Assistant Works Manager responsible for technical development and control of the Siemens Lamp Factory at Preston including responsibility for mechanical and electrical engineering.
He gained his PhD in 1945 PhD on “The High Current Density Mercury Vapour Arc.” In May 1948 he was promoted to Director of Research and Deputy Works Manager, Director of Company at Siemens Electric Lamps and Supplies Ltd. where he was responsible for all technical matters of the Company including research and control at Preston and technical matters at other Companies premises. Appointed to Board of Siemens Brothers & Co March 1955; on the formation of Siemens Ediswan Ltd he was appointed Managing Director July 1955. Siemens Brothers and Co Ltd was acquired by Associated Electrical Industries (AEI) in 1955 of which Aldington became Vice-Chairman.
In addition he was appointed to the Board of Alfred Graham & Co 1950; Executive Director 1952; Chairman 1955.
During the Second World War Aldington was in continuous consultation with a number of research establishments including the Admiralty to investigate lamps used on captured German Submarine; a report on the possibilities of Gas or Vapour Tubes as sources of near infra-red radiation; with the Ministry of Supply in the development of high current density mercury vapour arc for its use for anti-aircraft searchlights; shock and vibration resisting lamps for armoured fighting vehicles; with the Royal Aircraft Establishment in the development of high intensity xenon filled flash tubes for aerial photography.
Aldington had a prominent role in the civic life of Preston too acting as Justice of the Peace and Governor of Preston Grammar School.
His many positions on Boards, Socieites and committees can be paraphased as the following:
Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry 1938
Fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society 1942
Fellow of the Chemical Society 1929
President of Illuminating Engineering Society 1949 to 1950
Fellow of the Institute of Physics
Fellow of the Physical Society
Member of Society of Chemical Industry
Member of American Illuminating Engineering Society
President Illuminating Engineering Society
Member of Lighting Standards Committee British Standards Institute
Member of National Illumination Committee of Great Britain
Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers
