A legacy of invention
Stellar AC continues a family legacy of engineering innovation. In particular, the founder’s grandfather and great uncle worked on the development of novel technologies during WWII and held several patents in their fields.
Bernard Newsam (1913-1994) was interested in radio and electronics and was awarded a BSc. (Eng) degree from London University in 1932. Following further study, research and a job with EMI servicing radio sets, he worked for Standard Telephones and Cables (STC).
Bernard's time-base circuit, later known as the Bootstrap Circui was patented by STC under GB Patent Number GB493843. This may have caused the early development of television to take a different path to get round the patents. While at STC he also worked on the development of the first EEG and ECG machines. In 1938 he joined the team at the Air Ministry Experimental Station / Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE).
This was the main UK research and development organization for radio navigation and radar. In 1942 the unit was evacuated to a safer location at Malvern College, Worcestershire. At this time Bernard was leading a team responsible for microwave test gear for the Air Ministry.
After the war Bernard remained with the Civil Service and was an independent consultant for the US Air Force. In 1946 he co-delivered a Lecture on Precision Radar at the Radiolocation Convention, afterwards published by permission of the Chief Scientific Officer of the Ministry of Supply.
Harold Newsam (1910 – 1985). During the war Harold worked on various projects at Metro-Vickers factory at Attercliffe Common, where he likely worked on the electrical control of ground and naval anti-aircraft guns and motor-generator sets for ground and marine radar, both produced at the Sheffield factory. In 1943 he filed patent US2372511A, POWER SYSTEM INCLUDING A ROTARY TRANSFORMER, to provide smooth accelerating and braking torques by the electrical driving motors. That year, Prime Minister Winston Churchill intended recommending him for an MBE honour, but Harold declined the offer as he did not believe in the honours system.
In 1945 Harold was invited to travel to Germany to inspect the technology on the German heavy cruiser “Prinz Eugen”, which was surrendered undamaged to the British naval forces in Copenhagen before being escorted to Wilhelmshaven. Since only service personnel could undertake this task, he was assigned the rank of a naval lieutenant and provided with full uniform for the trip to Wilhelmshaven. The Prinz Eugen had advanced electronics and other technology of interest to the Allies. Harold was probably there to inspect the 105 mm anti-aircraft guns fitted to the vessel. These had an advanced triaxial stabilisation system superior to Allied technology, which links to a General Electric patent with Harold as inventor.
The Prinz Eugen was the escort to the battleship Bismarck during the Battle of the Denmark Strait, which left the British battlecruiser HMS Hood sunk and battleship HMS Prince of Wales damaged. The Prinz Eugen was handed to the US Navy and in July 1946 was deployed as a target test ship for Operation Crossroads, the US nuclear test explosions at the Pacific atoll of Bikini. The wreck remains partially visible above the water approximately two miles northwest of Bucholz Army Airfield.
