The servo panel. ¿a unique contribution to control-systems engineering

It is a truism that, throughout history, wartime science and technology have been characterised by important advances of a fundamental nature. The inauguration of the new Control &. Automation Division of the IEE has recalled some of the pioneering work in servomechanism theory and design carried out during the Second World War, and in particular the unique contribution of the Ministry of Supply Servo Panel. The main objectives of this article are: first, to discuss briefly the reasons for establishing the Servo Panel, second, to list some of the wartime achievements in the servo field and the men responsible for them, and third, to place on record a very successful co-operative operation (perhaps unique in history) in which several Government departments, the Armed Services, several universities and important sectors of British industry collaborated.