Remembering Engineering Pioneer Sir David McMurtry

Sir David McMurtry

In 1973, Sir David McMurtry and fellow Rolls-Royce engineer John Deer founded Renishaw to commercialize the 3D touch-trigger probe, an invention McMurtry created the previous year. This revolutionary device addressed critical measurement challenges in manufacturing Olympus engines for the Concorde supersonic aircraft. McMurtry’s ingenuity transformed metrology, laying the groundwork for the automated precision measurements that underpin today’s global manufacturing industry.

“In the 1970s, ideas for such applications were truly visionary,” Renishaw reflected in an statement. “Sir David’s lateral thinking and capacity to deal with scientific concepts from multiple disciplines was legendary.”

Over the next five decades, Renishaw expanded under McMurtry’s leadership, diversifying into areas such as encoders, calibration systems, neurosurgery, and additive manufacturing. The company now employs more than 5,000 people across 36 countries, embodying the values he and John Deer instilled: integrity, long-term investment, and a commitment to solving real-world problems through technology. McMurtry once remarked, “From the start, we set out to create a company that was different–different in how it applied technology, in how it manufactured, and in how it treated customers and communities as partners.”

Before founding Renishaw, McMurtry spent 17 years at Rolls-Royce, rising to Deputy Chief Designer and becoming the youngest Assistant Chief of Engine Design in the company’s history. His brilliance was evident early, as he secured 47 patents during his tenure there. At Renishaw, his name appeared on over 200 patents, a testament to his relentless drive for innovation.

McMurtry’s groundbreaking work earned him numerous accolades worldwide. Every two years, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) awards the James Watt International Gold Medal to an eminent engineer of global recognition, and McMurtry was a fitting recipient of this honor in 2019. The IMechE judges praised his lifelong emphasis on research and development, which has been a cornerstone of Renishaw’s success. The company reinvests 15-18% of its sales into R&D annually, embodying what McMurtry described as “a constant cycle of improvement, so that when patents expire on one product, another patented invention is available to take its place.” This approach has established Renishaw as a world leader and an exemplar for mid-cap UK companies, as noted by Christopher Simpson, Chairman of Manufacturing Industries Division at the IMechE.

Renishaw’s innovations have revolutionized industries ranging from jet engines and wind turbines to dental equipment and neurosurgery. The company is a pioneer in metal 3D printing and is making strides in medical technology, including trials of a novel system for delivering drugs directly to the brain to treat Parkinson’s disease. McMurtry’s vision for continual improvement and diversification has positioned Renishaw as a global powerhouse valued at over €3.3 billion.

Despite his extraordinary achievements, McMurtry remained a reserved and humble figure. He preferred mentoring young engineers and engaging in problem-solving over seeking public recognition. He also made significant contributions to the engineering profession as a visiting professor at several UK universities and a member of leading engineering societies. His honors included the Institution’s prestigious James Clayton Prize in 2003 and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire knighthood in 2001 for “services to Design and Innovation.”

The manufacturing world has lost a visionary innovator, and many at Renishaw have lost a mentor, a leader, and a friend. As Renishaw continues to thrive over 50 years since its founding, it stands as a living testament to McMurtry’s unparalleled vision and enduring legacy. His contributions will resonate for decades to come, ensuring his place among the leading pioneers of modern engineering history.