Technology vs. Science

Astbury’s scientific life was split between the two ideas of technological and pure science. He began his career in Leeds working on textile fibres with the ultimate aim of industrial applications firmly in sight. This aim continued throughout his career, and he was a vocal supporter of the need for collaboration between technologists and scientists. However, the fibrous proteins also served a further purpose: Astbury believed that they were the basic compounds of life, interested simply in the quest for the nature of things. This interest was most evident in his persistent desire to establish the field of molecular biology, whereby biological substances could be broken down to their molecular basis. In both the textile industry and scientific world he made a huge contribution, both scientifically and through the persistent propagation of his beliefs.

In several of his correspondences Astbury alludes to his two separate professional lives, and his aims at reconciling the two:

• 1944:    In a letter to Dr Rodd, Astbury expressed his interest in biology as well as textiles, and refers to a new department (‘High Molecular Studies’) which he wants to be based on both ‘Textile Physics’ and ‘Molecular Biology [3]
• 1944:    In a letter to Mrs Jacobs (wife of W. W. Jacobs), Astbury talks about the split in his work between industrial fibres and biological tissues [18]
• 1955:    In a letter to the Vice-Chancellor at Leeds, Astbury confesses that he is more interested in the nature of things than in technology [19]

Astbury’s Contribution to the Textile Industry

Astbury’s Contribution to Biology

by Imogen Clarke