National Research Development Corporation
Encyclopedia
The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) was a non-departmental government body established by the British
Government to transfer technology from the public sector to the private sector.
in 1948 to meet a perceived need at the time to exploit the many products that had been developed during World War II
by the Defence Research Establishments. The first managing director was Lord Giffard
.
The first commercial size hovercraft
, the SR-N1
, was built under a contract let by the NRDC to Saunders-Roe
in 1958.
In 1981, the NRDC was combined with the National Enterprise Board
('NEB') to form the British Technology Group ('BTG').
Examples of such products include carbon fibre, asbestos
-plastic
composite
s and developments in semi-conductor technology
.
The development of the hovercraft
would also not have taken place without the involvement of the NRDC.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Government to transfer technology from the public sector to the private sector.
History
The NRDC was established by Attlee's Labour governmentUnited Kingdom general election, 1945
The United Kingdom general election of 1945 was a general election held on 5 July 1945, with polls in some constituencies delayed until 12 July and in Nelson and Colne until 19 July, due to local wakes weeks. The results were counted and declared on 26 July, due in part to the time it took to...
in 1948 to meet a perceived need at the time to exploit the many products that had been developed during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
by the Defence Research Establishments. The first managing director was Lord Giffard
John Giffard, 3rd Earl of Halsbury
John Anthony Hardinge Giffard 3rd Earl of Halsbury FRS, British peer and scientist, succeeded to the title in 1943. He was Managing Director of the National Research Development Corporation 1949–1959, after having been Director of Research of Decca Record Company 1947–1949, and previously worked...
.
The first commercial size hovercraft
Hovercraft
A hovercraft is a craft capable of traveling over surfaces while supported by a cushion of slow moving, high-pressure air which is ejected against the surface below and contained within a "skirt." Although supported by air, a hovercraft is not considered an aircraft.Hovercraft are used throughout...
, the SR-N1
SR-N1
The Saunders-Roe SR.N1 was the first practical hovercraft.-Design:It was designed by Christopher Cockerell and built by Saunders-Roe on the Isle of Wight under the auspices of the National Research and Development Corporation...
, was built under a contract let by the NRDC to Saunders-Roe
Saunders-Roe
Saunders-Roe Limited was a British aero- and marine-engineering company based at Columbine Works East Cowes, Isle of Wight.-History:The name was adopted in 1929 after Alliot Verdon Roe and John Lord took a controlling interest in the boat-builders S.E. Saunders...
in 1958.
In 1981, the NRDC was combined with the National Enterprise Board
National Enterprise Board
-History:The National Enterprise Board was set up in the United Kingdom in 1975 to implement the Wilson Labour government's objective of extending public ownership of industry...
('NEB') to form the British Technology Group ('BTG').
Operations
Typically the NRDC would patent the product for commercial exploitation and earn royalties as private sector companies generated sales from those products.Examples of such products include carbon fibre, asbestos
Asbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
-plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
composite
Composite material
Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct at the macroscopic or...
s and developments in semi-conductor technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
.
The development of the hovercraft
Hovercraft
A hovercraft is a craft capable of traveling over surfaces while supported by a cushion of slow moving, high-pressure air which is ejected against the surface below and contained within a "skirt." Although supported by air, a hovercraft is not considered an aircraft.Hovercraft are used throughout...
would also not have taken place without the involvement of the NRDC.