A CELEBRATED innovator who was at the forefront of developing life-saving ultrasound equipment for Scotland's hospitals is to have his work celebrated in a new exhibition at the Glasgow School of Art.
Dugald Cameron's work is being celebrated at 'Ultrasonic Glasgow' until October 31 at the school's Reid Building.
Dugald, in his first paid commission, helped transform the industrial apparatus into manufacturable designs that helped revolutionise the clinical management of antenatal treatment and care.
The exhibition provides an insight into the thinking processes and innovative skills of the then young designer.
In the late 50's and early 60's, Glasgow led the world in ultrasound development.
A unique collaboration between clinical obstetrics, engineering, electronics and design expertise created the first prototypes and production models of ultrasound scanners for use in routine scanning in Glasgow hospitals.
Initially adapted from an industrial application for checking pressure vessels, the development of obstetrics ultrasound devices faced many challenges to enter the medical field.
The exhibition charts the pivotal role in the development process Dugald played.
The exhibition also brings the story up to date by showcasing current related research at Glasgow School of Art including a fascinating oral record of women’s lived experiences of ultrasound during their pregnancy in 1960s Glasgow, a critical examination of drawing practice in the art academy and its role in informing design, as well as the imaginings of future applications of the technology by young product design engineering students, a Glasgow School of Art and University of Glasgow joint programme co-established by Dugald in 1987.
After a period in industry, the Skelmorlie man returned to GSA to become the head of product design, head of design and then it’s director between 1991 and 1999.
This exhibition is curated by Professor Alastair Macdonald, Senior Researcher School of Design at GSA.
It is supported by The Glasgow School of Art and The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
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