If you have been involved with Surrey SATRO
Mega-Structures challenge you will have found that the strongest shape, that
uses struts, is a triangle. The triangle
can be formed into a geodesic, a special curved design that can be used to form
spherical shapes. The geodesic was used for the first time by Barnes Wallis to
create strong lightweight airframes in his aircraft designs.
Sir Barnes Wallis was a pioneering scientist, engineer
and inventor who used his skills during the Second World War to help defeat
Nazi Germany. By designing powerful weapons to target vital war infrastructure
he invented the bouncing bomb that breached the Ruhr dams and the 10 tonne
earthquake bomb used to destroy hardened concrete defences. Surviving bombs can
be seen at the Brooklands Museum, Weybridge. Barnes Wallis lived in Effingham
and worked at the Weybridge aircraft factory developing his world leading
designs.
He was a leading Effingham village resident and is buried
in St Lawrence's Churchyard. He died in 1979 aged 92 and a headstone there
depicts his achievements as one of our WW2 heroes. So if you are building
Mega-Structures think of Barnes Wallis, one of our greatest inventors, giving a
nod of approval at your triangles!
- John Faulkner, SATRO Volunteer
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