Enjoying the onesie - by Wayne

So what have I been doing while in London?  I’ve been spending the last couple of days in the Science Museum—one of my happy places.  The Museum has a world reputation not only for its historic collections—such as the world’s first steam engine—Stephenson's 1829 'Rocket' locomotive; but for the inspirational and educational way in which such collections are displayed and explained.  The last time I was in the UK it took me a day just to cover about 75% of the ground floor.  So it is great to be back and to get to see the more of the Museum.  After another two days, I can now boast that I’ve seen 25% of the whole Museum.  Why does it take so long?  Well the place is massive.  But it doesn’t help that I have a tendency to read everything.   

A highlight was a special exhibition called Churchill’s Scientist.  It records the significant role that British scientists played in the Second World War. It turns out that British Scientists made a huge contribution to the development of radar.  Not only in developing effective and efficient ways to map the large amount of data being received from the numerous radar stations set up along the English coast to enable defensive action to be organised; but overcoming the challenges of miniaturising radar to enable it to be installed within ships and ultimately aircraft.  

For those interested in science during the war, you will thoroughly enjoy reading John Cornwell’s book Hitler's Scientists: Science, War and the Devil's Pack. 

While most people are aware of Churchill’s significant achievements in leadership during the Second World War, few people are aware of his significant contribution to fashion by the invention of the ‘onesie’—a loose-fitting casual jumpsuits made of knit cotton, fleece or chenille. Although most of us only use them as loungewear or sleepwear—giving only our most ‘significant others’ the pleasure of seeing how gorgeous we look in them, it is becoming increasingly fashionable to wear them as stylish street fashion, a trend set by Churchill himself.  

Churchill had several 'onesies'
The one shown here is his gorgeous Green Suit.