In 1909, Sir Richard Glazebrook (then Dr.) was Director of the National Physical Laboratory and under him the Superintendent of the Engineering Division was Sir Thomas Stanton (then Dr.). These two scientists were responsible for initiating aeronautical research at the NPL. The main stimulus came, however, from the Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, formed in May 1909 with Lord Rayleigh as President and Glazebrook as Chairman. This committee obtained a grant from the Treasury for aeronautical work amounting to £1923 13s 5d for the seven months of that year, with a grant at the same rate for the year 1910; this money was spent at the NPL.