A Neglected Method

THROUGH the courtesy of the GLENN L. MARTIN COMPANY we publish in this issue a paper, which was originally prepared for circulation among the firm's staff as part of its “Engineering Educational Programme”, giving detailed instruction on the use of analytical geometry for laying out lines for structural members which lie against surfaces composed of straight line elements—the paper does not go into the more complex problems of curved surfaces—such as wings, stabilizers, fins, etc. Readers may remember that exactly two years ago—in June, 1944—we published a review of a book on the subject, published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY of NEW YORK, in which attention was drawn to the advantages of the method. The present paper deals with the subject less ambitiously than did the book and for that reason provides perhaps a better introduction for those unfamiliar with it. We would strongly advise anyone interested after reading MR. DIPPENWORTH'S paper to endeavour to obtain from the United States a copy of the book— which is entitled “Practical Analytic Geometry with Applications to Aircraft” and is published at four and a half dollars (about twenty‐five shillings)—when, provided that they are already equipped with a basic understanding of analytical geometry as given in textbooks, they will be possessed of very complete knowledge.