7 What's in a name?
133. There has been much speculation about the name
that will be given to the network of Technology and Innovation
Centres (TICs). The name Fraunhofer resonates across the world
and is widely associated with an impressive network of German
technology and innovation centres. The Hauser Report recommended:
The Government should consider the value of a unique
brand for these elite national TICs, which recognises their core
role in the UK's innovation system. This could help clearly articulate
areas of national priority to both UK businesses and promote the
UK's innovation offer overseas. The brand should recognise and
commemorate a significant UK contribution to science such as the
work of James Clerk Maxwell whose unified theory of electromagnetism
is the basis of the whole IT industry. [214]
134. Iain Gray, from the Technology Strategy Board
(TSB), appeared to share this view:
You may say, "What's in a name?" I would
say that Fraunhofer is a great example of what's in a name, because
I believe that the centres we have in the UK are every bit as
good as the Fraunhofer Centres. What we do not have is a collective
that allows us to sell that to the rest of the world. So I believe
that a brand name that we can all buy into and use is a very powerful
mechanism for the UK.[215]
135. Dr Bradshaw, from the Confederation of British
Industry (CBI), was not so concerned about the name. He said that
"a name is just a name. The important thing is having a brand,
and you only get brand with reputation".[216]
Professor Brook, from the Association of Research and Technology
Organisations (AIRTO), added "the brand will need managing
[…] because if we have variable performance among the TICs,
industry will start to regard some of them as not quite what it
needs […] somebody needs to […] make sure that the image
and the performance reinforces the brand".[217]
136. Rt Hon David Willetts MP, the Minister of State
for Universities and Science, invited us to suggest a name for
the network of TICs.[218]
There are a number of excellent British inventors to name the
TICs after.[219] One
that we are particularly attracted to is the mathematician and
computer scientist, Alan Turing, who is often considered to be
the founder of computer science and is known for playing a significant
role in the creation of the modern computer. He defined the concept
of the "Turing machine", a theoretical device which
can be used to simulate the logic of computer algorithms. Turing
is also known for his work as a cryptographer at Bletchley Park
during the Second World War. We consider that this country owes
Turing a debt of obligation for the way in which he was treated.
It is important, however, to remember that it will take time for
TICs to build a reputation. The Fraunhofer brand has had decades
to establish itself. It is unlikely that at the time it was chosen
much of the general public could have explained who Joseph von
Fraunhofer was or what he did.[220]
137. We recommend that the network of TICs be
called "Turing Centres", after the founder of computer
science, Alan Turing. We consider that this country owes him a
debt of obligation for the way in which he was treated. It is
important, however, to remember that it will take time for TICs
to build a reputation. The TSB must ensure that the brand and
the reputation are well managed. If the centres are effective
at doing their work, they will be recognised across the world
by business as being the place to go to innovate in the UK.
214 Hauser Report, p 27 Back
215
Q 104 Back
216
Q 40 Back
217
Q 61 Back
218
Q 135 Back
219
See Annex 3 for examples; this is not an exhaustive list. Back
220
The Fraunhofer Institutes takes their name from Joseph von
Fraunhofer (1787-1826), a Munich researcher, inventor and
entrepreneur. Fraunhofer was a glass-grinding apprentice who became
the director of glass manufacturing at the Optical Institute.
He was responsible for the development of new methods of glass
production and processing. The optical instruments Fraunhofer
developed, including the spectrometer and the diffraction grid,
allowed him to conduct fundamental research in the fields of light
and optics. He was the first to measure the spectrum of sunlight
and characterise the dark absorption strips it contains: the "Fraunhofer
lines". His work won him great acclaim from industry and
government. ("Joseph von Fraunhofer", Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
website, www.fraunhofer.de/en/about-fraunhofer/joseph-von-fraunhofer/) Back
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