J.E. Gordon

James Edward Gordon, mostly JE Gordon cites, called Jim Gordon, (* 1913 in the Lake District, † 1998 ) was a British material scientist and engineer, known for pioneering work in composite materials (composite material ) and biomechanics, as well as some popular science books about material properties.

Gordon studied Naval Architecture at the University of Glasgow, worked in shipyards in Scotland and originally wanted to design sailboats, since he himself was a passionate sailor. During World War II he worked for the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough on non-metallic materials such as wood, composites and fiber reinforced materials, among other things, he designed the lifeboats of the Royal Air Force bomber pilots. He later worked in Farnborough at (fiber reinforced ) plastic materials for aircraft. He then worked in industry ( Tube Investments in Hinxton Hall near Cambridge ), including on strength of glass and the growth of whisker crystals. In 1962 he went back to the civil service for Explosives Research and Development Establishment ( EARTH ) in Waltham Abbey, where he developed novel materials, for example on the basis of whisker crystals of silicon carbide, which were laid as ceramic fibers in a softer environment matrix for use in aircraft construction. He was Industrial Fellow Commoner of Churchill College, Cambridge, and from 1968 professor of materials science at the University of Reading.

In his books, his experiences are reflected as an aircraft engineer, shipbuilder, but also applications in biology and historical references ( he mastered Greek and had an affinity for ancient history ) occupy a large space. They have been translated into over 20 languages.

He received the British Silver Medal of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Griffith Medal of Material Science Club.

Writings

• Structures, or why things do not fall down, Penguin 1978, Da Capo Press 2003
• The New Science of Strong Materials or Why You Do not Fall Through the Floor, Penguin 1968, 2010, reprinted by Princeton University Press 2006
• The Science of Structures and Materials, Scientific American Library, Freeman, San Francisco 1988