Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the evolution of David Boswell Reid’s scheme and the underlying environmental discourse and scientific investigations. It introduces the background to the issues of ventilating the Houses of Parliament. The book then reconstructs Reid's ventilation system in the temporary Houses of Parliament and details how he implemented monitoring and control social feedback processes to maintain and improve its operation. It also focuses on the important role of MPs and Lords – especially through the mechanism of the Select Committee – in determining how Reid's system was received and consequently developed. The book explores the development of Reid’s proposed ventilation system from 1842 to 1846, and examines the practical difficulties that Charles Barry and Reid faced during this period. It then focuses on the performance evaluations of Reid’s system from February 1852 to March 1854.