• Royal Aeronautical Society

The Aeronautical Society of Great Britain (ASGB) - the oldest aeronautical society in the world - was founded in 1866 ‘for the purpose of increasing by experiments our knowledge of aeronautics and for other purposes incidental thereto’. George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll was elected president, James Glaisher, astronomer and meteorologist, treasurer, and Frederick Brearey, aeronautical inventor, honorary secretary. By the end of its first year it had 65 members. From the outset the Society was interested in heavier-than-air flight as well as balloons and kites and expert papers were read at its meetings. In 1868 the Society held a major exhibition of aeronautical machines and other items at Crystal Palace, London, and in 1870-71 sponsored the first wind tunnel, designed by engineer Francis Wenham. During the late 19^th century overall membership dwindled and the Society struggled financially, despite attracting distinguished members from the UK, Europe and America. In 1896 the Society decided to create a library (now National Aerospace Library) and to issue a quarterly journal, The Aeronautical Journal. In 1902, with membership of 100 and its financial affairs improving, an office was acquired in Victoria Street, London. In 1909 an agreement was signed with the Aero Club of the United Kingdom and the Aerial League of the British Empire which set out the distinct roles of each. The Society was to be regarded as ‘the paramount scientific authority on aeronautical matters, and shall be consulted on all questions dealing with the scientific side of the question’. In 1909 the first award of the Society’s Gold Medal, for outstanding achievements in aeronautics, was made to Wilbur and Orville Wright. In 1911 Aerial Science Ltd was formed to limit the liability of the Society’s members and new premises were leased in Adam Street, London. Grades of membership - fellow and associate fellow - were also created. In 1913 the first annual Wilbur Wright memorial lecture was delivered and by 1917 the Society had 700 members. The following year the king granted the Society a ‘Royal’ prefix and it was renamed The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). From 1919 branches began to be established, initially in the UK and later abroad. In 1922 the first examinations for associate fellowship were held and in 1923 the Society’s main journal was renamed The Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society. In 1927 the Society merged with the Institution of Aeronautical Engineers (founded 1919). In 1939, when new offices were acquired in Hamilton Place, London, the Society had around 2,000 members. During the war an advisory committee of the Society advised successive Ministers of Aircraft Production and a technical department was created – later known as the Engineering Sciences Data Unit - to present the best available knowledge to engineers who might lack the specialised knowledge required for aircraft design. By 1945 the number of members had grown to some 5,000 and there were 24 branches. From 1949 to 1983 the Society published The Aeronautical Quarterly and from 1969 Aerospace, along with other subsequent journals and conference proceedings. From 1959, in addition to branches, groups were set up to cover specialised activities. In 1959 the Helicopter Association of Great Britain and in 1987 the Society of Licensed Aircraft Engineers and Technologists were both incorporated into the Society. Today the Society has over 22,500 members and has become an international, multidisciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community.