D.T.N. Williamson: Edinburgh’s Pioneer of Hi-Fi Sound Reproduction and Flexible Manufacturing

D.T.N. Williamson was one of the most creative engineers of the second part of the 20th Century. Yet his early life was full of life-threatening illness, failure, and rejection. He overcame all these setbacks. In his 20s, he designed an amplifier that enabled high-fidelity sound to be obtained from gramophones in vogue at that time, of a quality that was far higher than had ever previously been achieved. He devised a “lightweight” pickup for the gramophone needle. Then, he pioneered the use of computers for machining, enabling components to be made to precision, far higher than was available from conventional methods. In parallel, he developed a novel measurement system that was needed for such components.

On those foundations, he went on to develop an entirely computer-controlled process for batch manufacture, that became known as “SYSTEM 24”.

The Science Research Council appointed Williamson Chairman of its Manufacturing Technology Committee. He fostered the establishment of the “Teaching Company Scheme”, one of the most successful examples of UK industry-university cooperation. He promoted “Grinding Technology” and “Die and Mould” research programmes in which academics in UK universities worked with industrial partners to overcome problems faced by manufacturing industry.

Those achievements were recognised by Williamson being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society; and both Heriot-Watt and Edinburgh Universities awarded him honorary degrees of Doctor of Science.

This book portrays the fascinating life and work of D.T.N. Williamson.