Dr. John Owen Bird is the former Head of Applied Electronics in the Faculty of Technology at Highbury College, Portsmouth. He is the author of over 130 textbooks on engineering and mathematical subjects with worldwide sales of over 1 million copies. Recently, he has combined freelance lecturing at the University of Portsmouth, with Examiner responsibilities for Advanced Mathematics with City and Guilds and examining for the International Baccalaureate Organisation. He is a chartered mathematician, a chartered engineer, a chartered scientist, and a Fellow of 3 professional institutions and is currently lecturing at the Defence School of Marine Engineering in the Defence College of Technical Training at H.M.S. Sultan, Gosport, Hampshire, U.K, one of the largest technical training establishments in Europe.