[1] The foundation of the Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1909 by Richard Haldane (later Lord Haldane) helped provide a model for the MID to follow: the committee supervised the aeronautical research of the National Physical Laboratory and provided more general advice pertaining to the scientific problems involved with aerial construction and navigation.
The unfolding of the Shell Crisis of 1915 indicated a new approach to innovation in the tools of warfare was needed if the war aims were to be achieved.
[1] Moir remained in place into November 1915, when he was persuaded by Lloyd George to go to New York in an informal role organising munition supplies from the United States.
[2] Despite Moir arguing for his replacement to be drawn from the civilian experts, Colonel Henry Edward Fane Goold-Adams, a Royal Artillery officer who was part of the Ordnance Board came into post on 19 February 1916.
Its introduction stated that from its formation in August 1915, the MID had received 47,112 inventions, ideas and suggestions of which 46,104 had been examined, 45,985 considered and just 4,026 reported as worthy of further consideration.