The natural history of the boffin [Guest Editorial]

In delightfully whimsical fashion, the author of the following guest editorial discusses the important subject of operational analysis - and, more particularly, the procedures involved in designing equipment to fit the user and the condition of actual use (rather than the reverse). He who can do this job effectively is termed a "Boffin." But he who tends to do the reverse is denominated a "Back Room Bird." With which preamble, the readers of these PROCEEDINGS are offered the pungent thoughts of a guest editorial from a leading inventor, developer, and designer of radar and electronic devices. He is a Fellow of the Institute, and Governing Director of his own organization in London, England.