Forthcoming WSPC author and master scientific glassblower, Paul Le Pinnet, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's birthday honours last month. An MBE is awarded to individuals for a significant achievement or outstanding service to the community. In Paul's case it was "For services to British Scientific Glassblowing" - recognising his career as a master scientific glassblower which spans more than forty years.

Paul is currently completing the manuscript for Laboratory Scientific Glassblowing - A Practical Training Method, which will be published by World Scientific early in 2017. The first book of its kind in decades, the book will provide a vital source of knowledge on this craft, which continues to support scientific research with bespoke equipment tailored to an experimenter's needs.

The book will bring to the reader Paul's experience and skills gained over the years, with additional input from other master glassblowers. Paul currently works for the Heath Business and Technology Park in Runcorn, UK, and has previously worked in both industry and academia.

Text: Merlin Fox, WSPC Europe

Image credit: "SOG Group"

Permission to use the image granted by Paul Smith, [email protected]