Inaugural Hirsch Lecture: Surprises in materials science

Abstract

Three hundred people came to listen to Sir Alan Cottrell give the Inaugural Hirsch Lecture at the University Museum, Oxford last October. This lecture is the first in a biennial series set up to honour Sir Peter Hirsch who was Isaac Wolfson Professor of Metallurgy and Head of Department of Materials at the University of Oxford. The lecture also marked the start of the department'sfortieth anniversary celebrations. Sir Alan's distinguished career includes periods as Goldsmiths' Professor of Metallurgy, Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University, Master of Jesus College, and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government. Thefull text of Sir Alan's lecture is given below.