Physics, Measurement and Standards Divisions
CSIRO’s research in physics, measurement and standards had its origins in the National Standards Laboratory established in 1939. The National Standards Laboratory comprised three sections: Electrotechnology, Metrology and Physics. In 1945 the three sections became independent Divisions: the Division of Electrotechnology, the Division of Metrology and the Division of Physics. In 1962, the Divisions of Electrotechnology and Metrology were merged to form the Division of Applied Physics (mark I). In 1974 the Division of Applied Physics was combined with the Division of Physics to form the National Measurement Laboratory. In 1979 the NML was renamed the Division of Applied Physics (mark II).
In 1996 the Division of Applied Physics (mark II) merged with the Division of Radiophysics to form the Division of Telecommunication and Industrial Physics with the National Measurement Laboratory as a component of that Division.
In the middle of 2003 the Information and Communication Technology Centre (ICT Centre) was split off from the Division of Telecommunication and Industrial Physics, which in turn was renamed the Division of Industrial Physics(CIP) in 2004, retaining the NML as a component.
In July 2004 the National Measurement Laboratory moved out of CSIRO to become part of a new entity the National Measurement Institute.
In July 2007 the Division of Industrial Physics merged with CSIRO Manufacturing and Materials Technology to form CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE).
History of Physics, Measurement and Standards Divisions
Chief of Division/Officer-in-Charge
| Division | Chief |
| National Standards Laboratory (1939-61) | Norman Abraham Esserman (O-i-C 1940-58); (Director 1958-61) |
| Electrotechnology Section (1939-45) | David Milton Myers (1939-45) |
| Electrotechnology (1945-62) | David Milton Myers (1945-49) Frederick John Lehany (1949-62) |
| Metrology Section (1939-45) | Norman Abraham Esserman (1939-45) |
| Metrology (1945-62) | Norman Abraham Esserman (1945-61) |
| Physics Section (1939-45) | George Henry Briggs (1939-45) |
| Physics (1945-74) | George Henry Briggs (1945-58) Ronald Gordon Giovanelli (1958-74) |
| Applied Physics mark I (1962-74) | Frederick John Lehany (1962-74) |
| National Measurement Laboratory (1974-79) | Frederick John Lehany (1974-79) |
| Applied Physics mark II (1979-96) | Frederick John Lehany (1979-80) John Lowke (1980-88) William Roderick Blevin (1988-94) John Goldsworthy Collins (1995-96) |
| Radiophysics (1940-96) | David Forbes Martyn (1940) Frederick William George White (1940-45) John Noel Briton (1945-46) Edward George (Taffy)Bowen (1946-71) John Paul Wild (1971-78) Harry Clive Minnett (1978-81) Robert Henry Frater (1981-88) Dennis N Cooper (1988-96) |
| Telecommunication and Industrial Physics (1996-2004) | Dennis N Cooper (1996-2000) Gerald Neil Haddad (Acting 2000-01) Warren King (2001-02) Gerald Neil Haddad (2002-03) |
| Information and Communication Technology Centre (ICT Centre) (2003-) | Alexander Zelinsky (2004-09) Ian Oppermann (2010-) |
| Industrial Physics (2004-07) | Gerald Neil Haddad (2004-06) Calum John Drummond (2006-07) |
| Manufacturing and Materials Technology (2006-2007) | Vicki Lyn Tutungi (2006-07) |
| Manufacturing Science and Engineering (2007-14) | Calum John Drummond (2007-11) Catherine Patricia Foley (2011-14) |
Sources
• Schedvin CB, Trace K, 1978, Historical Directory of CSIR and CSIRO 1926-1976, CSIRO Publishing.
• Encyclopedia of Australian Science
• CSIRO Annual Reports
• CSIRO Communications