Emerging from the National Maritime Museum, one of four females in a lecture room full of men, I wondered why the sphere of engineering is still predominantly male. I had a fascinating day. The Electric Horology Group was 40 years old and to celebrate gave a day of lectures on Electric Time, superbly chaired by David Rooney (former Curator of Timekeeping at the Greenwich Observatory)
Questioned later about whether I was confused by the breadth of research possibilities, I had to confess that the day’s lectures felt like a leisurely and stimulating day out, rather than ‘research’. Looking at everything from synchronizing time in workplace clocks, to measuring the fractions of time in firing ballistics and thinking about the role of the quartz crystal I was completely absorbed. It has fed my imagination (for this and a future project.) In thinking about the point that time came into our homes outside of the mechanical ticking on the mantle I have found a missing jigsaw piece for images for the film.
All I have to do is add them now! Uncontrollable excitement followed Friday’s arrival of the editing software on my doorstep. Swiftly followed by the frustration of the pop up box telling me I do not have the correct system requirements to load it. (I have!) With my tip top IT adviser away for the week, I am left with the frustration of trying to work out new ideas with the Pritt again, until his return. It has ruined my week’s plans.
After making a mock up the publication, that will accompany the work, I found it easier to approach a writer last week regarding his writing an introduction. Having him agree, I now have to work how to phrase what I am expecting from the piece. I want to save his time and my disappointment. It could be a longer job than I expect. And now on the top rung of a ladder that is stretching towards an exciting funding opportunity- I should really research alternatives, should that ladder topple! (Now an experienced owner of many a rejection letter, plus I have kind of mentally allocated the funds already)! So I am not bereft of things to do but have dithered while I wallow in the disappointments of technology failure again today.
