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Issue:- 17 October 2013

80th Anniversary of the British Interplanetary Society
Report and photograph by L. Trollope.

ON Saturday, 12 October 2013, Liverpool’s World Museum in William Browne Street was host to the British Interplanetary Society. They met, in one of the museum’s comfortable lecture theatres, to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the founding of the society here in Liverpool. In October 1933, Britain and other industrialised nations were still in the depths of depression and many people were in dire straits. However, in the USA, President Roosevelt began to initiate technological projects which would eventually lead to space missions and the like. Hitler’s Germany’s quest for technology had disastrous consequences but eventually fed into the space technological development. Here, in Liverpool, Philip E. Cleator, born June 1908 in Wallasey, was engaged in the family engineering contracting business and he was fascinated by the notion of space travel and the growing rocket experimentation. There were various societies in other countries so Philip Cleator decided that because scientists here had done nothing, he would take action himself. He published an article on "the Possibilities of Interplanetary Travel" in Chambers Journal. Initially there was little response but eventually the article was picked up by the Daily Express and replies ensued, including one from a lady, Mrs Heaton. A meeting was held at Cleator’s home in Wallasey and the British Interplanetary Society was founded. The meetings moved to 81 Dale Street, Liverpool and later to Hamilton Cafe, Whitechapel. The Society soon moved to London and continued to attract like minded individuals with great enthusiasm for science and also for science fiction. Subsequently many names became well known. Sci. Fi. enthusiasts associated with the society include Arthur C. Clarke, who joined in its Liverpool days and subsequently became a President. Their ideas were welcomed as provoking imagination and the materials they wrote were well founded in scientific theory. They are still welcome today. The society persisted despite some ups and downs in its activities, but since the 1990s it has moved forward with enthusiasm and motivation and now has more political acknowledgement and good will.

At Saturday’s meeting interesting insights were given by past presidents into some of the major occurrences and developments which happened during their time in office, including satellites and early extraterrestrial explorations. The conversations during refreshments and lunch breaks were also very stimulating, with a good chance for attendees to exchange news and ideas. In the afternoon session the President, Alistair Scott, Alan Bond, and Richard Osborne, tackled more recent events and spoke of the current ventures, expounding upon space probes, mini satellites and other exciting ventures including:- Skylon and KickSat, Stardrop and Tsiolkovsky; work in progress and future plans. All are dedicated the societ’s aim of pioneering in the future, and especially in encouraging an interest in science and enhancing scientific education. In the evening there was a celebration meal in Jury’s Inn, Liverpool before folk scattered to homes throughout the UK and beyond. It had been a rewarding day.

Members of B.I.S are all primarily enthusiasts, who work on these projects because of their love of the subject and their desire to be proactive in the field, but it is not just space scientists, others engaged in the different fields of interest; engineers and people in other disciplines or enterprises can find niche and can contribute. As well as providing a centre for these activities. BIP can help advice on likely projects, put those with ideas in touch with people who can be if assistance, encourage and give valuable support. Sound interesting to you? Contact with BIP can be made on their website. 

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