Dr Basil Schonland, the leader of the group of scientists who developed the first radar in South Africa, becomes the founding president of the CSIR. This positions the CSIR to play a leading role in the development of radar and electronic warfare measurement, test and evaluation facilities.

Dr Trevor Lloyd Wadley invents the first microwave electronic distance measurement equipment, the tellurometer. The tellurometer revolutionised land-surveying throughout the world. The company set up to manufacture the tellurometer maintained the market lead for this equipment for over 25 years.

Commissioning of the ‘Meiring Naude’ research vessel in support of the CSIR’s multidisciplinary oceanographic research activities. The vessel is used to study the movement of sand and how it influences the siltation of the Durban harbour entrance. The demand for applied research in coastal engineering later led to the establishment of a hydraulics research unit.

CSIR biomaterials research leads to the invention and development of the bollard, an implantable expanding rivet used in conjunction with a prosthetic ligament for repair of cruciate ligaments in the knee. More than 60 000 devices were sold over three decades.

The CSIR’s online services, including Worldnet Africa and CompuServe, are sold to MIH Limited, to form MWEB. It marked the start of commercial Internet services in South Africa. Today, the company continues to take advantage of the demand for connectivity.

The CSIR officially opens its clinical and botanical supplies unit. The facility is key in scientific studies that aim to add value to South Africa’s rich biodiversity and indigenous knowledge. It helps bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical trials through the production of pharmaceutical grade herbal products.

The CSIR achieves a world first in the development of techniques to genetically engineer pearl millet, with the technology being applied as the first stage in a process to introduce downy mildew resistance in millet.

The CSIR develops the Advanced Fire Information System (AFIS), which uses satellite data to detect fires in real time and automatically sends warnings directly to users via cell phones and tablets. AFIS has since been adopted by Eskom, as well as local and international conservation and fire prevention and management organisations in Argentina, Portugal and across southern Africa.

To capitalise on the benefits of nanotechnology, South Africa invests in the National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, where researchers create nanomaterials to benefit various industries. Some ten years later, a scale-up facility would follow for the testing of nanomaterials on an industrial scale.

The CSIR unveils its state-of-the-art containment level 3 laboratory for experiments involving HIV and TB pathogens. It enables researchers to conduct research and proof-of-concept studies for new HIV/Aids and TB diagnostics or therapeutics.

A Eucalyptus clone developed by the CSIR and its collaborators is awarded the First Plant Breeders’ Rights for Eucalyptus locally. New tree breeds with better pulping properties will help counter predicted shortfalls in the supply of wood.

The CSIR makes a breakthrough in biomedical stem cell technology by generating the first induced pluripotent stem cells in Africa. Scientists use these cells to study the interactions between pathogens and specific cell types in the context of African genetics.

CSIR laser scientists demonstrate a digital laser that offers a method of controlling and altering the beam of a laser from within the unit. Traditionally, beams are altered as they leave the laser, or via a costly refit.

Three CSIR-developed biotechnologies start their commercial journey. Persomics is founded and markets technology for the miniaturisation of genomics experiments that make it possible to investigate cells faster than previous possible. ResynTM Biosciences offers products based on improved microsphere technology, targeting the life sciences research and development market. OptimusBio develops environmentally friendly products for the treatment of wastewater, aquaculture and agriculture.

Hydrogen research infrastructure that forms part of the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) initiative is launched at the CSIR. The facilities pave the way for researchers to find a way to more easily store hydrogen, at ambient temperatures and without too much added weight or cost. Hydrogen has great potential as a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels.

CSIR researchers create the first high resolution, Locally calibrated national map of woody cover for South Africa using satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping with existing light detection and ranging (LIDAR) datasets derived from airborne surveys. It is valuable to manage forests, monitor biodiversity and plan clearing of alien plants.