16 MAY 1958, Page 20

THE SHOCK OF INNOVATION

SIR,—Mr. Graham Hutton, in his interesting article 'The Shock of Innovation,' seems to underestirnate, the attention that economists have given to industria' innovation. In recent years there has been a ee,n., siderable concentration of research effort on subject. For instance, at University College, Londe.n; alone seven economists have participated in a serle' of studies concerning the relation between lunar tion and structure in a number of industries. Son° of the results of these studies have already been, published by Duckworths, namely : The EconontIC; of Man-Made Fibres, by D. C. Hague; The Wontell.: Outerwear Industry, by M. Wray; and The Econottm. Development of Radio, by S. G. Sturmey. Other books which pursue the same theme in the rubb,ee' detergents, building materials and tinplate industries are to appear shortly.—Yours faithfully,

University College, London