1939: Edmund Bruce Ball

1939: Edmund Bruce Ball

 

Edmund Bruce Ball (1873-1944)

54th President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Edmund Bruce Ball was born in 1873 in Norfolk, England.

He showed an early talent for engineering, apprenticing at Charles Burrell and Co in Thetford. This talent was rewarded with two science scholarships, a Whitworth Exhibition and the Queen’s Prizeman for Science. The scholarships ensured he was able to complete his technical training at the Manchester School of Technology.

Practical engineering experience followed as a draughtsman with Benjamin Goodfellow and Co. He soon progressed to the position of works manager with Reavell and Co and then Clarkson Ltd. His specialist subject was hydraulic engineering, in particular the storage and distribution of water.

Ball’s experience took him overseas to Italy and then China. On his return he took the position of works manager at D Napier and Son, Acton. His last position was as Managing Director with Glenfield and Kennedy Ltd, which also gave him management of British Pitometer and Hydrautomat Ltd.

He was President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1939 and was also made an Honorary Life Member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

He died in 1944.

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