CALTECH

February 1985 NEWS

Mettler elected Keck grant to fund world's largest telescope chairman of Caltech Board of Trustees Bigger telescopes have long been the dream of astronomers but until Ruben E Mettler, chairman and recently, there was no way to surpass chief executive officer of TRW Inc., the Palomar scope because of techno­ has been elected chairman of the logical limitations. Scientists concen­ Board of Trustees of Caltech. He trated on enhancing the images they succeeds retiring chairman R. Stan­ received, rather than on increasing ton Avery, the founder-chairman of the size of the instruments. Avery International, who headed the Construction of an instrument of Cal tech board since 1974. Mettler this size has only recently been made assumed office on January 1. possible by the development of In announcing Mettler's election, technology by University of Cali­ President Marvin L. Goldberger fornia scientists at the Lawrence commented, "Since he received his Berkeley Laboratory. doctorate from Caltech 35 years ago, The W. M. Keck Observatory Rube Mettler has compiled an im­ would be located on a ridge on pressive record as an engineer and Mauna Kea, an extinct volcano on business leader, coupled with a distin­ the island of Hawaii. Its telescope guished record of public service. We would be the first major instrument are delighted to welcome him as to use new technology involving a chairman of our Board of Trustees. segmented mirror. The mirror will "We also want to express our consist of 36 separate, adjoining deepest thanks to Stan Avery for a hexagonal mirrors, each 1.8 meters decade of wise leadership. Under his (six feet) across. Segmented-mirror guidance, Cal tech has flourished, technology uses several recent scien­ both as an educational institution tific breakthroughs, including "stress and as a world center for scientific polishing" of mirror segments and a research. He will continue on the computer-controlled mirror-position­ board as Chairman Emeritus and as ing system that will adjust the mir­ Life Trustee." rors 300 times per second by as little A native of Shafter, California, as one one-thousandth the width of a Mettler spent his freshman year at human hair. Stanford University. Upon entering The observatory site, atop Mauna the Navy in 1942, he was assigned to Kea, is considered the best in the Cal tech where he received a BS in world. Its stable, dust-free atmos­ electrical engineering in 1944. He phere reduces image blurring, and its earned an MS at Caltech in 1947, and cloud-free sky means a maximum a PhD in 1949, in electrical and Howard B. Keck (chairman and president of the W M. Keck Foundation) and number of useful observing nights. aeronautical engineering. President Marvin L. Goldberger examine a model of the Keck Ten-Meter Telescope. Its high altitude-13,600 feete-makes Mettler then spent five years with it an excellent site for both visible­ Hughes Aircraft Company, and a The W. M. Keck Foundation of scheduled to begin in 1992. light and infrared observations. year as a consultant to the Depart­ Los Angeles has proposed to grant Four times more powerful than the In making the announcement, ment of Defense. In 1955 he joined $70 million to Caltech for construc­ 5-meter (200-inch) telescope on Palo­ Howard B. Keck, president of the W. the Ramo-Wooldridge Corporation tion of the world's largest optical mar Mountain, the instrument will M. Keck Foundation, said, 'This where he was involved in several of telecope. have a mirror with a diameter of 10 proposed grant is historic in both its the nation's early ballistic missile and The proposed grant would be the meters (about 400 inches), making it size and purpose. The Keck Ten-Me­ space projects. largest private gift ever given for a the largest optical telescope in the ter Telescope will enable us to see When Ramo-Wooldridge merged scientific project and will be made world. It will be almost twice the size much farther than we can see today, with Thompson Products in 1958 to upon satisfaction of certain contrac­ of a 236-inch telescope in the Soviet and will help us to discover how the tual conditions. Construction of the Union, currently the world's largest. universe began." Continued on page 4 Keck Telescope and dome would While there are larger radio tele- . begin in 1986 and use of the instru­ scopes that measure radio energy, this Continued on page 2 ment for scientific observation is will be by far the biggest optical instrument, and will produce photo­ graphs of much greater brilliance than any other telescope anywhere in the world. 2

Keck grant to fund Why we need bigger telescopes world's largest optical telescope The current generation of large Because astronomers study light discoveries from satellites and from telescopes-most notably the 200- from distant celestial objects that left radio telescopes have greatly in­ Continued from page 1 inch Hale Telescope at Palomar- has those objects billions of years ago, a creased the need for more powerful revealed a stunning array of celestial telescope is, in essence, a time ma­ telescopes. In nearly all cases, follow­ President Marvin L. Goldberger phenomena. Astronomers have used chine. With the new Keck Telescope, up optical or infrared measurements said, "On behalf of the entire scien­ the instruments to: astronomers will be able to study are required to find ou t what kind of tific community, we applaud the -measure the size and age of the galaxies billions of years farther back object has been seen and to determine vision of the W. M. Keck Foundation universe by using distant stars and in time than ever before. its distance and basic properties. directors in offering to make this galaxies as markers. While the Keck Ten-Meter Tele­ Orbiting instruments, most no­ historic grant. Scientists will use the -capture the spectrum of light scope will greatly enhance visible tably the Hubble Space Telescope to Keck Telescope to provide answers to from hundreds of thousands of stars the most challenging and basic ques­ to learn how stars are born, live, and tions of the universe. It will enable die. astronomers to look back in time to -discover quasars, objects at the within a few billion years of the edge of the observable universe that origin of the universe-billions of burn with the brilliance of a trillion years earlier than is possible with suns. existing optical instruments." - map the structure of distant Goldberger said that among the galaxies, collections of billions of areas to be explored are how the stars sculpted into spirals and other universe originated, whether or not it shapes by the force of gravity. is continually expanding, why and Each question that these discov­ how galaxies and stars formed and eries have answered has raised many evolved, and how the four basic more. Light from distant stars, the forces of nature controlled the early intricate structures of quasars and history of the universe. galaxies, the dark clouds of gas and He announced that negotiations dust in the Milky Way, and the tur­ are under way between Cal tech and bulence at its center, hold many more the University of California for joint mysteries to be explored. operation of the Keck Observatory. Astronomers are essentially Under the proposed agreement, gatherers and interpreters of light ~ Cal tech would provide funds for from the heavens.-The more photons construction of the observatory; of light they can collect from a celes­ while the University of California tial object, the better they can under­ will contribute funds for continuing stand it. They have been' able to The Keck Foundation's $70'million gift to the Institute was announced at a press conference on operation of the facility. make such remarkable progress over the Caltech campus. Participants: President Marvin L. Goldberger; Howard B. Keck: Goldberger also noted that use of chariman and president of the W M. Keck Foundation; Julian O. von Kalt~owskt, d~rect~r, the decades, despite limitations in the site in Hawaii is being made the W M. Keck Foundation; and David P. Gardner, president, the UnIVersIty of Cahforma. telescope size, because of revolu­ possible through the cooperation of Behind Gardner is a drawing of the W M. Keck Observatory sIte on Mauna Kea . tionary advances in the technology the University of Hawaii, which astronomy, its effects on infrared of light detection. be launched in 1986, can also obtain owns the property. University of astronomy will be even more pro­ The first photographic plates used sharper images, unspoiled by the Hawaii scientists will also have access found. With infrared detectors at­ to record light could capture only earth's turbulent atmosphere or by to the telescope. tached, the telescope will be able to one photon in 100 that fell on the skyglow. The Keck Telescope, be­ probe with unprecedented clarity the The Keck grant will cover almost telescope mirror. Later, photoelectric cause of its light-gathering capability, dark interiors of nearby interstellar the entire cost of construction of the detectors were used to raise light will be able to obtain the most pre­ clouds, where stars are being born. $85 million project. collection efficiencies to 30 photons cise spectra of distant objects discov­ While visible light from these The W. M. Keck Foundation, one per 100. Today, advanced solid-state ered by the Space Telescope, thereby young stars is absorbed by the of the nation's largest charitable detectors called charge-coupled providing the best clues to their clouds, infrared light penetrates organizations in terms of total grants, devices, or CCD s, can detect 80 nature. them, carrying with it important was established in 1954 by the found­ photons per 100. Since 1977, Jerry Nelson and his information about how stars form. er of Superior Oil Company, W. M. But now the maximum limit of colleagues at the UC Lawrence Berke­ Similarly, the Keck Telescope will Keck. He created the W. M. Keck detection efficiency has been reached, ley Laboratory have been developing open the center of the Milky Way to Trust for benefit of the Foundation. and astronomers will need larger a design for a segmented mirror, new scrutiny, detecting the infrared The combined assets of the Founda­ telescopes to gather more light. which will be used for the Keck radiation that penetrates the galaxy's tion and Trust currently exceed $500 A telescope with a ten-meter re­ Telescope. The design features a huge obscuring dust clouds. million. flecting mirror, approximately double primary mirror that is a mosaic of 36 The advanced capabilities of the the size of the 200-inch ,Hale Tele­ hexagonal mirrors, each 1.8 meters Keck Ten-Meter Telescope will com­ scope, will provide a four-fold in­ (six feet) wide and 7.5 centimeters plement those of the ·200-inch Hale crease in light-gathering power, (three inches) thick. These will be Telescope, and astronomers expect allowing astronomers to study a combined into a large single mirror that each telescope will generate volume of astronomical space eight by a computer-controlled aiming questions capable of being addressed times greater than before. The Keck system. The system will be capable by the other. Ten-Meter Telescope could detect the of making adjustments on the order light from a IS-watt bulb at the Observations with the Keck Tele­ of one thousandth the diameter of a distance of the moon. scope will also complement observa­ human hair about 300 times each tions made with instruments orbiting second. in space. Space-borne instruments The scientists have also developed can study ultraviolet, infrared, a "stressed mirror polishing tech­ gamma, and X rays that are blocked nique" to allow production of the by the earth's atmosphere. Far from diminishing interest in Continued on page 6 optical-infrared observations, new that will be the basis of long-term Goddard named Simon named Gifts to Caltech support for scientific and educational at record high research, as the Institute builds the Ferkel Professor: IBM Professor of fund with contributions from other in 1983-84 donors. A pledge for $1 million for first chair occupant Mathematics and The Renewal Fund for Scientific Theoretical Physics Caltech received a total of $27.7 William A. Goddard III, 47, pro­ Equipment was made by the Irvine million in gifts of cash and equipment fessor of chemistry and applied Foundation. Barry Simon, 38, a mathematician during 1983-84, an all-time record. physics at Caltech, has been named Other gifts for equipment during the Charles and Mary Ferkel Profes­ and theoretical physicist, has been This is an increase of 22 percent over the fiscal year included $500,000 . sor of Chemistry and Applied Phy­ named the IBM Professor of Mathe­ 1982-83 when $21.7 was contributed, from the Atlantic Richfield Founda­ sics. Goddard, an authority on quan­ matics and Theoretical Physics at and a 16 percent increase over the tion to meet critical needs in the tum chemistry and chemical bond­ Caltech. Simon is responsible for a Institute's previous record total raised Division of Geological and Planetary ing, is the first occupant of the newly in 1981-82. Sciences; a gift from Richard L. "We are grateful to our friends for endowed chair. Hayman (Ex '36), which also sup-. The Ferkel Professorship is named this fine level of support," said Presi­ ports needs in this division; and gifts for the parents of the late Albert dent Marvin L. Goldberger. "Science in the form of computers and Ferkel of Rancho Bernardo and the is in a period of explosive develop­ software for Caltech's educational ment. We believe Cal tech will playa co~puting project from Data central role in this remarkable era, General, Digital Equipment Corpora- . and we must provide the best facili­ tion Evans & Sutherland, Hewlett­ ties for research and education if we Packard, IBM, Lotus, Microsoft, and are to do so. Support such as we Tektronix. received last year strengthens our A major gift of $5 million from the role immensely." Arnold and Mabel Beckman Founda­ Of the $27.7 million, $1.24 million tion will make possible the Arnold came in the form of equipment, a and Mabel Beckman Laboratory of high priority for the Institute. Like Chemical Synthesis, where synthetic other colleges and universities chemists at the Institute can take throughout the country, President advantage of the rapidly increasing Goldberger has pointed out, Cal tech potential in this field to tailor-mak~ wide range of contributions in these is faced with increasing deterioration complex chemicals with great preCi­ fields, including important studies in of laboratory equipment that is sion. New catalysts, microelectronics, quantum field theory, statistical becoming obsolete. drugs, transport systems, novel mechanics, and theoretical atomic The problem at a national level­ materials and tools for biological and molecular physics. one that has been building for two manipulations, and chemical com­ Simon came to Caltech in 1980 as a decades-is so severe that it threatens late Karl A. Ferkel of Altadena. pounds for use in the food,. drug, and Before their deaths, the brothers had Sherman Fairchild Distinguished to undermine a key source of U.S. chemical industries are typical prod­ Scholar, and joined the faculty the scientific and technological strength arranged to honor their parents with ucts of current research in this field. an endowed professorship at Cal tech. next year as a full professor. His and to produce a generation of scien­ Pledges of $1 million each by honors include the 1981 Medal of the tists ill equipped to work in industry, Albert Ferkel was a 1925 graduate of Aerojet General, GM, GTE, and TRW the Institute and a chemical engineer International Academy of Atomic educators have said. are making it possible to implement a and Molecular Science and the 1982 Making a major contribution for AReo for most of his profes­ new five-year Program in Advanced sionallife. Karl Ferkel attended Stampacchia Prize. toward meeting this need at the Technologies on the campus, the He is the second holder of the IBM Institute was the W. M. Keck Foun­ Cal tech in 1922 and, after a brief time purpose of which is to enhance re­ as a research chemist, went into Professorship, established in 1973 by dation, which awarded a $1 million search at Cal tech in the areas of a grant from the International Busi­ grant in December 1983 to establish a commercial real estate. solid-state materials, fluid dynamics, Mrs. Karl Ferkel of Covina is ness Machines Corporation. The first fund for the purchase of new eqUlp- and electronics, and to facilitate IBM Professor was Marshall Hall, Jr., . ment for research and education. helping to carry out the plans of her industrial development of appropri­ an expert in combinatorial theory, This grant initiated the Institute's late husband and his brother. ate research results. who held the chair from 1973 until Renewal Fund for Scientific Equip­ Goddard joined the Cal tech faculty Gifts to endowment during the in 1964. His initial focus was on his retirement in 1981. ment, which will be used for a broad fiscal year totaled $6.6 million. Much range of new equipment, including developing theoretical methods to of the new endowment income was understand how the electrons of instruments for research and educa­ in the form of payments on endowed Vol. 19, No.1 February 1985 tion in neurobiology, chemistry, atoms form bonds linking the atoms professorships. into molecules and how these bonds Issued six times a year (Feb., April, engineering, and geology. Included As usual, a major source of unre­ will be new analytical instrumenta­ break and rearrange themselves June, Aug., Oct., and Dec.) and stricted funds-particularly valuable during chemical reactions. published by the California Institute of tion and advanced computer systems. because they can be used at the A portion of the grant was used to More recently he has started using Technology and the Alumni Asso­ Institute's discretion- were its ciation, 1201 East California Blvd., establish an endowed equipment fund the new understanding of quantum alumni, the Industrial Associates, and chemistry (what electrons do to Pasadena, California 91125. Second The Associates. Through the Alumni molecules) to examine the dynamics class postage paid at Pasadena, California. Postmaster: Please send Fund, 50 percent of the alumni con­ of how the atoms move about during address changes to Caltech News, 1-7l, tributed $1.65 million to the Institute, reactions. His first applications have and the Irvine Foundation, over two California Institute of Technology, involved examining the binding of Pasadena, CA 91125. years, contributed $239,011 in drug molecules to enzymes. matching gifts. . Goddard is a member of the Na­ EDITORIAL STAFF The Associates, under the leader­ tional Academyof Sciences, a Fellow Executive editor: Winifred Veronda ship of President Berneice Anglea, of the American Physical Society, Staff associates: Heidi Aspaturian, had a productive year. These Cal tech and a member of numerous societies Phyllis Brewster, supporters, who numbered 100 at involved with chemistry, catalysis, Diane Davis and their inception in 1926, now total and surface science. Neil Saccamano 1,057 members and have active Photographer: Robert Paz groups in San Francisco, Santa Bar­ bara, Newport Beach, and USPS 085-640 San Diego. 4 __

Mettler elected Diverse, flexible: chairman of Caltech Board Caltech launches multi-million-dollar Continued from page 1 educational computing program create the company now known as By Dennis Meredith TRW, Mettler was named executive vice president and then president of its Space Technology Laboratories This year, students at Cal tech have Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Tektronix, Cal tech have probably already had subsidiary. In 1965 he was appointed been reaping the benefits of a multi­ and Zenith. Such computer com­ plenty of computer experience, and million-dollar effort in educational panies have donated more than $9 in any case, they're bright enough to computing begun over the last year. million in hardware and software, as learn any language quickly." The Cal tech approach constitutes a well as giving extensive discounts on For example, in an introductory sharply different path, in both scope their products. In addition, Caltech computational physics course Fox and aims, than at other universities has designated $2 million of its own teaches with Professor of Physics using computers to help educate their funds for educational computing. Charles Peck, students can choose students. Some scenarios: The programming languages stu­ separate sections in four different At one end of campus, an as­ dents use 'are as varied as the hard­ languages-BASIC, C, FORTRAN, tronomy student programs a star to ware. Cal tech faculty members can and PASCAL. shoot photons of light through a cloud of gas and dust and watches the spectrum of light that results on a computer screen. At the other end of campus, a com­ puter science student works at another screen to design a complex His portable unit integrated circuit to produce three­ plugged into the 'dimensional computer .graphics. Be campus computer network, Kurt president of TRW Systems Group, uses software more advanced than Schwartz sits in his and in 1969 was named president of that used by professionals in the computer industry. Once completed, room in Ruddock the parent company. He was elected House, downloads a to his present TRW position in 1977. his design will be transmitted to a homework assignment In 1966 he was selected as one of commercial chip-building firm for from another the first alumni to receive Cal tech's construction. computer, and starts Distinguished Alumni Award. He In her dorm room, a physics major to work. was elected to the Cal tech board of plugs her portable into the campus trustees in 1969, and in 1983 was computer network, downloads a elected a vice chairman of the board. homework assignment from another Mettler's leadership in business, computer, and begins to program an education, and science has included answer. Stumped by one problem, roles as chairman of the Business she sends an electronic message to Roundtable, vice chairman of the her professor, who will answer her choose the particular language they The emphasis is not on learning Business Council, chairman of the question the next time he sits down at feel is best for teaching their disci­ the basics of the language, but in United Negro College Fund's national his terminal. Later in the course, she pline. As a result, students at Caltech immediate applications program­ campaign, chairman of the National will even download her final exam will become conversant in such ming, says Fox. The approach is Alliance of Business, and chairman of into her computer, transmitting it computer languages as BASIC, FOR­ sometimes quite unorthodox. For the President's Task Force on Science back to her professor when she TRAN, APL, C, PASCAL, LISp, or instance, Fox and Peck are teaching Policy. He was elected to the Na­ completes it. just about any other language the the physics of three-dimensional tional Academy of Engineering Still other Caltech undergraduates faculty finds will get the job done. motion by using the computer to in 1965. are using computers to: "We want to graduate students model ball games, including golf, - rearrange the world's continents to who aren't 'bigots,' that is, who baseball, tennis, and football. test plate-motion theories; aren't wedded to a particular system Cal tech offers a unique educational - analyze the effects of traffic speed because that's all they know," says computing environment, says Fox, on road accidents; Geoffrey Fox, dean for educational because some of the most sophisti­ Hopfield honored - run an automated biological computing and professor of theoreti­ cated students and faculty in the for theoretical fermenter; cal physics. 'When Caltech graduates country are using "folksy" personal - explore complex family histories must tackle a problem with a com­ computers linked to one another by a physics research from India; and puter, we want them to be able to campuswide high-speed network that - analyze data from chemistry make a fully informed decision about connects most campus computers and John J. Hopfield, the Roscoe G. experiments in the lab. the best hardware and software for peripherals. Dickinson Professor of Chemistry Besides the variety of uses, student the job." From outlets in their dorm rooms, and Biology, has been awarded the computing at Cal tech is particularly Also singular is the way Cal tech or from numerous computer clusters 1985 American Physical Society unusual in its variety of machines. students learn to use this array of throughout campus, students can Biological Physics Prize by the Coun­ While many schools have standard­ computer hardware and software. freely send and receive assignments, cil of the American Physical Society ized on one or two computer ven­ Cal tech offers no formal courses in messages, and software, and can in recognition of his "imaginative and dors, Cal tech has decided to "let a elementary computer programming. access plotters and other expensive predictive approach to theoretical thousand flowers bloom," as one Instead, students learn the basics of a devices. By the end of 1984, approxi­ physics." This work, according to the faculty member puts it. Caltech language as they go in each course, mately 400 workstations were in use APS, is opening up new areas undergraduates will use machines or pick it up in informal tutorials. throughout Cal tech for educational of biology. bearing the nameplates of Compaq, "In many universities this might be computing. Typically, these are IBM Data General, Digital Equipment a controversial decision," says Fox. PC-XT s, IBM PC-AT s, and Corporation, Evans & Sutherland, "But the students who come to Compaqs. Over the next few years, the total "Although it isn't a popular lan­ has great educational value. neering analysis and graphics. number of microcomputers available guage, APL is good for teaching "If students have to write code to Fox expects such courses to spread to students will reach about 800, or math, because it has a powerful way tackle a physics problem, they must far beyond the traditional computer­ roughly one per student. Students of compactly expressing mathemati­ understand it in a much deeper way ized disciplines, into such areas as can borrow portable microcomputers cal ideas," says Professor of Mathe­ than if they just did a problem set on biology, geology, and chemistry. for either short-term projects such as matics Gary Lorden. paper; it requires more discipline." Simple programs which illustrate homework assignments, or for long­ . 'We begin by giving students a few Computers will also give students a the essential features of the ideas term research projects, based on pages of instructions on how to turn link to real scientific experimentation, being taught are the mainstay of proposals reviewed by their peers. on machines, and some coaching by he says. successful educational computing, The result of the extensive network teaching assistants," says Lorden, "Most physics research today believe many faculty. Graphics are of hardware could spawn a unique who is also dean of students. "The heavily involves computers," he says, much more important than process­ computer culture, according to Fox. object is to get them started quickly "And until now there's been a gap in ing power in such cases. However, in "The campus network allows on using the machines in their c1ass­ what students learn in courses and some areas of engineering education, electronic banter over bulletin board work, rather than in some separate what scientists do in the laboratory. users need to run large professional systems to share the same coaxial computing laboratory. We'll give Computers can close that gap. software packages on more powerful cables as data streaming off to the them the software tools as they need "Computers also add a sense of computers. Such facilities have also campus supercomputer," says Dr. them to solve each class of problem, excitement to the study of physics. been developed for the Institute's Fox. "We hope that this juxtaposition such that they'll soon be able to Unexpected results can show up on students. of the sophisticated and the popular combine these tools to investigate the screen, and in figuring them out, For example, in a VLSI (very large will merge the best of both cultures, very sophisticated problems." Ac­ the student can get a better feeling scale integrated) design course at resulting in thoroughly humanized cording to Lorden, the object is to for the physical reality of a Cal tech, advanced students in com­ computers." avoid turning students into program­ phenomenon." puter science learn to design com­ In another unusual move, Cal tech mers at the expense of learning math. As might be expected, among the puter chips, using software design has turned over three mini-computers "There is nothing less rewarding first to use computers in education at tools more sophisticated than those totally to undergraduate students, than sheer computer programming C'lltech has been the faculty in com­ used by professionals in the computer who govern their use. Using the three without any real mathematical in­ puter science. For many years, most industry. The course was begun by donated Data General MV 14000 sight," he says. "Typically, students undergraduates have taken an intro­ Dr. Mead and is now taught by computers, students can do course­ using computers in math spend 85 ductory computing course from a Professor of Computer Science Cha­ work, word processing, and game­ percent of their time programming, pioneer in computer design, Carver rles Seitz. playing. One machine has even been and 15 percent working on the math Mead, the Gordon and Betty Moore Students in the course use a DEC designated as "crashable," enabling problem. We want to reverse those Professor of Computer Science at VAX computer and experimental students to experiment with software percentages." Caltech. This course is centered on design software developed at Cal tech that might bring the system down. In contrast, the physics faculty at the use of PASCAL to build simple and other universities to design a " Also, computer communications Caltech finds that its requirements graphics programs on powerful wide variety of VLSI circuits. These may change student-teacher interac­ allow a more laissez-faire attitude Hewlett-Packard workstations. circuits are then fabricated by a tion. If students can send an elec­ toward machines and languages. Such courses, in which the corn-. commercial vendor, subsidized by the tronic message to professor, they may "I see no need to standardize on a puter programming is "flavored" with Defense Advanced Research Project feel freer to ask questions, give feed­ language or machine in physics," says a given discipline, are spreading, with Agency. back, or air gripes." Professor of Theoretical Physics the latest being an introductory Students from the course may find Along with the optimism about Steven Koonin. "Although we're still course on microcomputers tailored themselves going beyond student computer use, however, there are in the exploratory phase, I believe for engineers. In this course, taught projects into advanced research. For concerns among the faculty. that, in general, instructors will by Professor of Electrical Engineering example, Cal tech undergraduates are simply develop a problem and ask Hardy Martel and Professor of Ap­ aiding in the design of a supercompu­ We want to graduate students the students to solve it using a com­ plied Mechanics Thomas Caughey, ter being developed by Seitz and his who aren't bigots, that is, who puter as they see fit ." Zenith microcomputers and BASIC colleagues. aren't wedded to a particular To Koonin, the act of program­ are used to introduce students to Another effort to provide engi­ ming "computational experiments" system because that's all they basic techniques of numerical engi- neering students with computing power is called CADRE, for Com­ know. puter-Aided Design, Research and Education. "We worry a lot about who's going CADRE consists of a high-speed to do all this programming," says network of DEC VAX minicompu­ George Rossman, associate professor ters, connected to high-resolution of mineralogy. "Faculty time is al­ Tektronix terminals. On this hard­ ready 100 percent committed, so we ware runs an extensive library of have to be sure that there's enough computer-aided design software staff support for the hardware and donated by Ohio-based Structural software to make it work as a Geoffrey Fox (dean Dynamics Research Corporation. teaching tool. for educational With this system, students can manip­ "We also have to make sure that computing) and ulate the huge programs and data we don't become so hung up on Howard Rumsey bases professional engineers must hardware and on pushing a button to (project manager) handle, and they can use sophisti­ make a pretty picture that we lose examine equipment to cated graphics to present these data track of the concepts we're trying be used as part of the in an understandable form. to teach." educational CADRE's educational objective is The teaching of mathematics via computing system. ::::::';;''';:iIIJ to let engineering students do real computer offers a good illustration of engineering, says the system's princi­ educational computing, Cal tech pal architect, Dr. Paul Dimotakis, style. Institute mathematics faculty associate professor of aeronautics and have decided to use the programming applied physics. language APL in undergraduate math courses. Continued on page 6 6

Real rocks adorn the Throop site Why we need bigger telescopes

Attracted by what looked like one Continued from page 2 of the stream-fed arroyos in the San Gabriel Mountains, a red-tailed hawk non-axisymmetric surfaces of hex­ swooped down to bathe in a pool at agonal mirrors. This technique takes the Throop site on the campus. He advantage of the ease with which made numerous visits to the pond, opticians can polish a spherical sur­ apparently oblivious to the passers­ face. First, a precise force is applied by who stopped to watch. to the mirror blank to warp it. Then No one can prove it, but admirers the blank is polished to a spherical of the newly completed site beautifi­ surface, and when the force is re­ cation insist that he would never leased, the mirror elastically assumes have gone there before real rocks the desired non-axisymmetric surface. from the San Gabriel Mountains At 158 tons, the Keck Telescope were installed over the summer and will weigh less than one third the fall-replacing artificial rocks of weight of the 200-inch Hale Tele­ poured concrete that were created for scope. And because the UC design the site in 1976. features a shorter focal length (the A park-like area where Throop length of the instrument is 72 meters, Hall once stood was the concept of or about 57 feet), the size of the Cal tech students who wanted an dome will be about the same as that alternative to the broad concrete required for the Hale Telescope-137 stairway that was being considered feet. by the administration after Throop was razed in 1973. Winding walkways, cascading streams, quiet pools, and areas of greenery soon Caltech implements created a pastoral setting. But the geologists on campus educational continued to be troubled by the computing program artificial rocks, and they volunteered on different occasions to help find Continued from page 5 authentic ones that would be more aesthetically and scientifically satisfy­ "Some engineering students get ing, and that could be used quite a shock when they go from the in teaching. classroom into real work. In class Last year, their offer was accepted. they weren't asked to analyze the A gift from Mrs. Dan Throop Smith, kinds of complex systems they en­ the great-granddaughter of Amos G. counter professionally. If they tried Throop and a Caltech Associate from Geologist Leon Silver inspects the installation of a boulder from the San Gabriel such analysis by hand,. they'd get so Portola VaHey, for beautification of Mountains in its new home on the Throop site. Placing the rock are Carl Schaefer of mired in calculations, they'd lose the Throop site (and for archival Caltech's transportation department and a crane-company employee. sight of the conceptual forest for the preservation of family papers) made mathematical trees," he says. it possible to give the site a new look. Precambrian granite from the early but two of the artifical rocks were "With CADRE, we can let the This look would include some of the to middle Proterozoic era- stone so broken up and removed. These, computer do the grunge work of finest rocks from the San Gabriel ancient that its outcropping on the moulded as a part of pond bottoms, calculation. We've finally removed Mountains. earth's surface is rare. were left in place and will be draped the restriction on complexity, which Geologist Leon Silver (the W. M. "The San Gabriel Mountains with ground cover. The grass was is an important milestone in engi­ Keck Foundation Professor for Re­ contain some of the oldest rocks in reseeded, new plants and shrubs were neering education. Now, our students source Geology) accompanied mem­ California," says Silver. "We've had installed, ground cover was replaced, can really learn to cope with phe­ bers of Caltech's physical plant de­ several requests from throughout the and ponds were refilled and stocked nomena that are peculiar to the partment on several rock-hunting country for rocks from this region. with goldfish. complexity of engineering problems." expeditions to quarries in the area. Once we shipped two gondola car­ The result is a fitting tribute to The future of educational comput­ Eventually all of the rocks were loads to NASA for their training Amos Throop, father of Cal tech and ing at Cal tech is far from settled. selected from Devil's Gate Dam near area. I'm glad that we can now enjoy, a staunch admirer of southern Cali­ Speculation abounds on how com­ ]PL, and the quarry owners donated on the Cal tech campus, some of these fornia and its beauties. Among the puters will affect the art of teaching. the 60 that were selected for the magnificent rocks from our own Throop family papers are numerous Lorden foresees computers eventually Institute. Silver himself supervised backyard." letters from Throop to family mem­ as sophisticated electronic "teaching the placement of about 40 of these at All of the stones at the site have bers in Chicago, extolling the beau­ assistants." the site. Others were held in reserve geological significance, Silver ex­ ties of the local region and urging his "We may develop ways for the and may eventuaHy be placed at plains. "I can describe the history of relatives to come and share in the computer to respond to students' other locations on campus. most of them," he notes, "but there bounties of California. answers, diagnosing their difficulties The rocks that are in place range in are some mysterious rocks there that Surely Amos Throop would have with a problem or acting as a chal­ age from 75 million to 1. 7 billion I don't understand. These will be a appreciated the re-creation in his lenging Socratic questioner," he says. years. The largest weighs 8 to 10 challenge for our geology students, name of a southern California arroyo tons. The oldest, explains Silver, is of and ultimately, some of them will on the campus, so authentic that it solve the mystery." even attracts a red-tailed hawk. Does he have a favorite rock? "They're all my favorites," says Silver. In the site beautification that ac­ companied the rock placement, all Pol Duwez dies Rodman Paul C. Hewitt Dix Their study covered the area from Cape Canaveral in Florida to Cape after prolonged receives dies December 9 Cod in Massachusetts. They used illness Wagner Award computerized records of 212 in­ C. Hewitt Dix, professor of stances when live whales and dol­ geophysics, emeritus, died December phins - ranging from one animal to Pol Duwez, Caltech professor of Rodman W. Paul, the Edward S. 9 in the San Francisco area. He was hundreds - became stranded. The applied physics and materials science, Harkness Professor of History, 79. Born in 1905 and a native of records were obtained from James emeritus, died December 31 at the Emeritus, is recipient of the Califor­ Pasadena, he earned his BS degree Mead of the Marine Mammal Pro­ Huntington Memorial Hospital. Dr. nia Historical Society's Henry R. from Cal tech in 1927 and his AM and gram of the Smithsonian Institution. Duwez had been ill for several Wagner Memorial Award. PhD degrees from Rice Institute in When the scientists combined the months and underwent major sur­ The Wagner Award was estab­ 1928 and 1931, both in mathematics. information using an image-process­ gery in September. He was born lished in 1958 to honor authors of Dix taught mathematics at Rice for ing computer, they found a strong December 11, 1907, in Mons, Bel­ books in fields related to California three years and then worked in correlation between the strandings gium, and was educated in that history and to Henry Wagner's own industry as a research geophysicist and locations where the earth's mag­ country. historical, cartographical, and biblio­ and as a seismologist. With United netic field was weak in comparison One of the world's leading scien­ graphical interests-including the Geophysical Company he became with surrounding areas. A few spe­ tists in metals and materials, he came overland trail to the West, the Span­ both a vice president and a member cies, by contrast, seemed to strand to Caltech as a research fellow in ish Southwest, Drake's voyage, and of the board of directors. During themselves where the field was physics from 1933-35 and then ac­ Spanish exploration of the Pacific World War II he worked for the U.S. strong. cepted a five-year assignment in coast. Navy, planning and setting up the "We don't know why the animals Belgium. He returned in 1941 as a Paul, a member of the Cal tech first oil exploration work on the stranded themselves," said Kirsch­ research engineer on defense projects faculty since 1947, is an authority on north coast of Alaska. .vink. "But the results strongly suggest at campus and JPL, and headed the the history of the American West and In 1948 he joined the Cal tech that they use a magnetic sense to materials section at JPL until 1954. is the author of books and essays faculty as associate professor of navigate." He noted that no other He became a full professor at the dealing with the era of gold and geophysics, and in 1954 he became a features that have been studied­ Institute in 1952. . silver mining. full professor. He retired in 1973. His water depth, water temperature, or His research led to the develop­ research at the Institute was con­ ocean currents-correlate with the ment of a series of new alloys now cerned chiefly with investigations of strandings as well as do anomalies in used in industry and he made major the theoretical aspects of the propa­ the magnetic field. Thus the study contributions to the development of Nobel laureate Jerne gation of seismic waves. He also suggests that animals migrating at sea metals known for properties of super­ was Caltech made a major contribution through probably use features of the field to conductivity. what a colleague termed "his careful, keep track of their position. In 1980 he received the American research fellow sensitive work" with graduate "When whales and dolphins want Physical Society International Prize students. to travel long distances, they prob­ for New Materials, and in 1981 he Niels K. Jerne, one of three scien­ ably use weak points in the field as was recipient of the William Hume­ tists to win the 1984 Nobel Prize in guidepoints because weak points are Rothery Award from the Metallurgi­ Physiology or Medicine, is remem­ more continuous than strong points, cal Society of the American Institute bered by one of his former associates Whales, dolphins: and because they often occur as long of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petro­ in the Caltech Division of Biology as north-south stripes along the ocean leum Engineers, Inc., and the Heyn a "stimulating, innovative researcher do they navigate floor," Kirschvink said. Medal of the Deutsche Gesellschaft [who 1made a science out of "But when they want to stay fur Metallkunde of Frankfurt, Ger­ immunology." via magnetic sense? around one area, they may use mag­ many. Jerne, 73, a London-born Dane, netic highs as reference points be­ spent a year at Cal tech in 1954-55 as Whales and dolphins tend to beach Dr. Duwez is survived by his wife, cause these tend to be sharply defined a research fellow in the Division of themselves at points along' the Atlan­ Nera, and a daughter, Nadine, of regions-undersea volcanoes, for Biology, where records show that he tic coast where the earth's magnetic Paris. example." was assigned to the research group of field is weak in comparison to the the late Max Delbruck, Nobel region around it, a team of scientists laureate in physiology or medicine. has discovered. Their findings suggest NASA honors Vogt Here he grappled with research that marine animals use a sophisti­ issues with an insight and creative cated magnetic sense to navigate, and Scudder recognized for space-program approach that was already earning that at sea they may cruise ocean leadership him a reputation as the world's lead­ "highways" that consist of long for anthropological ing theoretician in immunology. troughs in the earth's magnetic field. contribution There is also evidence, say the Rochus E. Vogt, vice president and "He gave a lot of thought-provok­ scientists, that the animals sometimes provost, has been honored by NASA ing seminars and inspired many Thayer Scudder, professor of use magnetic highs (sharply defined for 20 years of contributions to the interesting discussions when he was anthropology, has been named the U.S. space program, and, in particu­ here," says James F. Bonner, Caltech regions around igneous intrusive bodies or undersea volcanoes) as first recipient of the American An­ lar, for his leadership of an experi­ professor of biology, emeritus. "We thropological Association's Solon T. guideposts to avoid drifting from ment aboard the JPL-managed Voy­ expected him to win the prize." feeding or resting areas. Kimball Award for Public and Ap­ ager 1 and 2 spacecraft. Vogt is the Jerne was honored "for a basic The researchers are Joseph L plied Anthropology. The award was R. Stanton Avery Distinguished theory on the unique system in which Kirschvink, assistant professor of given in recognition of Scudder's Service Professor and professor our body protects itself against infec­ geobiology; biologist Andrew Dizon "outstanding anthropological contri­ of physics. tion," according to an official of the butions to significant contemporary of the Southwest Fisheries Center of As principal investigator for the Karolinska Institute, which deter­ public policy issues." the National Marine Fisheries Ser­ Voyager Cosmic Ray Experiment, mines prize recipients. His most vice; and James A. Westphal, Cal tech A member of the Institute faculty Vogt headed the experiment team noteworthy contribution is consid­ since 1964, Scudder is known for his' professor of planetary science. from the inception of the Voyager ered to be the "network theory" of extensive studies of the effects of project in 1972. He stepped down the immune system, which represents relocation on the Gwenbe Tonga from this role in July 1984. He was the most elaborate and logical ex­ people of Zambia and Zimbabwe in presented a plaque and a montage of planation thus far for the processes Africa. He used the data in the Voyager pictures by Burton 1. Edel­ by which the body's immune system studies as a base for examining the son, NASA associate administrator rises to the occasion when needed to social consequences of forced resettle­ for space science and applications, combat disease, and falls back into ment in other parts of the world. and by JPL Director Lew Allen. inactivity when it is not needed. 8iiiii

By Gavin Claypool (BS '75) intelligent "client" races. On Earth, dolphins and chimpanzees are being genetically altered and taught to use With only three science fiction tools and communicate in human novels published, Cal tech graduate languages. In Start ide Rising, a ship Dr. David Brin (BS '73) has estab­ "manned" primarily by dolphins lished himself as one of the'major stumbles upon a huge derelict fleet in new authors in the field. His second intergalactic space; its location is the novel, Startide Rising, received the prize sought by several contending top two awards for best novel of alien races who attempt to capture 1983: the Nebula Award, voted by the hidden Earth ship. the Science Fiction Writers of Besides his th ree published novels, America; and the Hugo Award, by Brin has written several shorter vote of the members of the 42nd ' works for Analog and Isaac Asimov's World Science Fiction Convention. Science Fiction Magazine. "The While still in junior high school Postman," a post-nuclear war story, Brin had played with the idea of was the runner-up for the Hugo writing science fiction, but it was Award for the best novella in 1983; it during his freshman year at Cal tech and its two sequels will be published that he made his first serious attempt. . by Bantam next year as a major He had quit reading SF "cold turkey," hardcover release. Novels now in because he had found it a difficult progress include 'The Uplift War"­ vice to control. After about two set in the same universe and about weeks of this restraint, his own " the same time as Startide Rising­ imagination started to pour out. The and "In the Heart of the Comet." The result"was th e beginning of a detec­ latter is a collaboration with Gregory tive/ science-fiction novel, which he Benford, UC Irvine physics professor recalls "was really rather bad, but the and SF author, about the colonization guys in Lloyd Houseliked it." of Hall ey's Comet in 2062. A second effort, started during his Although fi ction generates the sophomore year, eventually became greater portion of his income, Brin The Practice Effect, his third and prefers to think of himself as still an most recently published novel. Very amateur writer. Since receiving his few of the original paragraphs and PhD in 1981, he has been a postdoc­ sentences survive from that early toral fellow at the California Space draft, but there are numerous "in­ Institute of the University of Califor­ joke" references to Caltech. nia, La Jolla . He has been part of the For his junior and senior years, group lobbying for permanent orbital Brin concentrated on surviving his applications of the space shuttle's classes and, incidentall y, went back external tank, which, Brin says, "can to reading SF. After graduation, he be carried into orbit at essentially no had no immediate plans to continue cost. " (The tank is currently being his schooling. "Like many Techers dumped into the Indian Ocean.) who made it all the way, I felt a little Although David Brin is sitting pretty after his recent literary success, he doesn't seem He also taught physiCS for a year at bruised. Tech was a wonderful expe­ to be stum'ped for new ideas. (Photo by Patti Perret.) San Diego State University, but the rience. I don't believe I could ever demands of his other careers have have had a better education any­ years with Hughes, he did process ticeship in writing fi ction began. It forced him to give up teaching, at where else. And I was successful- I engineering at their MaS chip re­ was a long, slow process: about three least for the present. "I enjoy teach­ got a degree in one of the most diffi­ search facility in Newport Beach, and and a half years." His brother, a ing a great deal; I'm one of those cult options at Tech [astronomy]. helped establish the MaS line in "rather ferocious" newspaper editor, flamboyant lecturers that I'm sure Nevertheless, I could not fool myself Carlsbad. blue-penciled his manuscripts again most Techers remember quite well. that I was one of their better stu­ Hughes also had fl exible scheduling and again. The novel Sundiver was dents. I was looking for someplace to and a generous educational plan, published by Bantam in February My objective in writing a book is be creative and not overblown for a which allowed Brin to work on a 1980, and is now in its fifth printing. to write something that destroys while." master's in electrical engineering at Sundiver is an SF murder mystery grade point averages, destroys The first company Brin inter­ UC Irvine, and later at UC San in which much of the action takes sleep, that keeps people up all viewed with, Hughes Aircraft, turned Diego. While attending astronomy place in the outer layers of th e sun. "I night. Sorry-but it's my job. out to be that someplace. They seminars at UCSD, Brin became had wanted to write a detective story offered him a position that was acquainted with Nobel laureate - a murder mystery-because it's the One of my goals is a tenured faculty everything he was looking for: re­ Hannes Alfven, who invited him to ideal test of being fair to the reader. position somewhere; my dream search in a very practical engineering become a fully supported graduate Either you succeed in telling a story would be to teach two courses per area that would keep him on the student in his astronomical research whose conclusion is properly foresha­ year in physics, and two courses per steep part of the learning curve. group in 1977. After four years of dowed, or you don't. Whereas in year in writing and philosophy at Although his BS degree was in as­ research on comets and asteroids, he other types of fiction you can fudge some university. But such split fac­ tronomy, he was hired as an electrical was awarded his PhD in astrophy­ it." Other ideas were suggested by ulty positions are very rare. engineer. During his three and a half sics. His doctoral research was on the courses in laser physics he was then "Some of my fellow writers find evolution of comets, particularly taking. The solar background came this hard to believe, but I would how cometary nuclei age. from three summers at Cal tech as a much rather be a first-rate scientist By this time, Brin's writing career research assistant to solar astrono­ and a second-rate hack writer, than had been launched. He had been mers. be a first-rate writer and a second­ working at Hughes about a year One of the original aspects of rate scientist." when, one afternoon, it occurred to Sundiver is Brin's concept of "Upli ft." him that there was no particularly Throughout the known universe, decisive reason why one couldn't alien species have been genetically visit the sun."Then my real 'appren- engineering subintelligent species into Another reason Brin prefers to insufficiently handled by science and ously found such regions- indicating of the currently accepted one-stage think of his writing as a hobby is that science fiction in the past: the idea of the presence of magma bodies­ one. During the first stage, which "it keeps the writing fresh. I don't the ebb and flow of civilization; the beneath the Long Valley Caldera, a may have lasted about 100 million take it as seriously as other writers idea that the galaxy is very old; the volcanic region in central California. years, just over half of the material do. I found, oddly enough, that that question of environmental manage­ Whether the area near China Lake falling onto the earth consisted of gives me a leg up, because I worry ment of planets. In a way; I was is a magma body remains a question, iron-rich planetesimals. When the less, and think of it more as for my performing my own Gedanken ex­ said Sanders. "We need further study earth attained about half its current own pleasure than I might periments, my own thought to distinguish it from a mass of sub­ size, the planetesimals fell with such otherwise." experiments. surface hot water. There is a lot of force that they began to heat the Not all his writing has been fiction . "My objective, quite frankly, in volcanic activity in this area, and earth, releasing hydrogen. During He has had science articles published writing a book, is to write something wells drilled here encounter very hot this period, the iron began to migrate in Analog, and a review paper on the that destroys grade point averages, water at shallow depths." to the earth's center, forming its core. questi on of extraterrestrial intelligent destroys sleep, that keeps people up Sanders noted that the area of Then during a second stage of life published in the Quarterly all night, that people cannot put attenuation coincides with the epicen­ formation, a change occurred in the Journal of the Royal A stronomical down. Sorry- but it's my job." ter of a large earthquake swarm that mix of impacting objects. These now Society. He is currently negotiating occurred in late 1982 and early 1983. contained a larger fraction of water­ with a major university press to After that swarm, scientists found bearing silicates. The lower percent­ produce the definitive text of contem­ evjdence that the ground had risen by age of iron-rich objects meant .that porary thought on the SETI question. Seismologists about three centimeters. the water released by the heat of Brin's definition of sci ence fiction is impact could enter the atmosphere quite encompassing. "I include al­ discover and, upon cooling, form the oceans. most any work which plays in a large magma body Scientists envision Says Ahrens, "This scenario satis­ self-consistent way with reality, or near China Lake fies three important constraints. It subjective observations of reality. On two-part formation results in an earth with a metallic this account, I suppose I'd have to By studying waves from earth­ iron core, with an iron-silicate mantle include a number of works by Oos­ process for earth quakes in the area, Cal tech seismolo­ composition like the one inferred toevski . I'd have to include the Magic gists have discovered what appears to from seismological studies, and with Realists, such as Gabriel Garcia The earth would have evolved into be a large body of magma near an ocean's worth of water. Marquez. I would certainly include a bleak planet covered by deserts had China Lake in southern California. "Of course, the problem remains of everything written by such fine it not been for a sharp change in the Although their discovery does not explaining why this change in the 20th-century authors as Aldous kinds of material bombarding its mean that any volcanic activity is composition of accreting material Huxley, because even his 1930s pe­ surface over the course of its forma­ occurred over time. One attractive expected, it does explain geothermal tion, two Cal tech geophysicists riod pieces portrayed scientific or activity and possibly the recent theory has been proposed by Kerry philosophical issues as participatory believe. Harrigan and William Ward of ]pL." earthquakes in the region. By slamming water"containing characters in the story. In a very The scientists involved in the Harrigan and Ward have theorized basic sense, I don't think literature in minerals into targets in the labora­ that the gas of the nebula of material research are geophysics graduate tory and then constructing computer the 20th century that ignores student Chris Sanders, former under­ swirling about the sun would have science-and the influence of science models of the accretion process that graduate student David Rinn (now at tended to form into density waves - on our lives-can really be thought resulted, they have been able to place Vassar College), and Professor of alternating regions of higher concen­ of as fi ction of our age." constraints on the kinds of minerals Geophysics Hiroo Kanamori. trations of material. As the planets It was in a Cal tech humanities class that must have struck the earth In conducting their research, the grew, these density waves could have that Brin first encountered Huxley. during its formation. scientists examined the seismic re­ tended to move outward, nudging Having read one book, he read The scientists are Manfred A~ cords of 17 recent earthquakes, each the planets with them. everything else by him that he could Lange, a former research fellow in recorded by about 15 nearby seismo­ In this case, the early formation of get his hands on. "Huxley sometimes planetary science at Cal tech, now at graphic stations of the southern the earth would have taken place staggered me with haunting images of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar California seismographic network. closer to the sun, between the current personal moral and ethical conflict. Research in West Germany, and orbits of Mercury and Venus. But as They detected a subsurface region In Brave New World, he shows a Thomas J. Ahrens, Caltech professor that severely diminishes, or attenu­ the earth grew, it would have been society that creates a serf class of of geophysics. nudged outward from this region of ates, shear waves that pass animals- the Gammas and Oeltas­ Current theories of the earth's through it. iron-rich material to its current orbit, out of human stock. That's obviously formation hold that the chunks of Shear waves are waves whose where water-rich silicates an insult to human dignity." As to mineral matter called planetesimals vibrations move perpendicular to the predominated. Huxley's influence: "Huxley planted a that fell onto the planet throughout wave's direction of travel. These seed, but there were other inputs. its formation process consistently waves are severely damped when The Uplift idea is the inverse of Brave contained the same mix of iron-rich they pass through fluids such as New World. I'm asking the question, material and water-rich silicates. But magma or water. Excellence in research, whether it is possible, or morally Lange and Ahrens found that once The region producing attenuation justifiable, to raise up animal species. the earth reached about half its pre­ teaching bring honor is about 15 kilometers by 15 kilome­ "In the Uplift novels, I've played sent size (a little larger than the tets and is shallower than five kilo­ to Tombrello with concepts that I thought were moon), the objects hitting its surface meters in depth. It is located north­ would have begun to strike it with Thomas A . Tombrello, Jr., profes­ east of Inyokern and northwest of enough velocity to heat the objects to Ridgecrest, just east of state highway sor of physics, has been awarded a high temperatures. Humbolt Award for outstanding 395. The scientists also found a At these temperatures, the iron, accomplishments in research and smaller region of attenuation about water, and silicates would have teaching. A member of the Caltech one kilometer square just west of reacted to produce iron silicate and faculty since 1961, Tombrello has Inyokern. hydrogen gas. The hydrogen, a vital Sanders and colleagues at the been involved in research concerning constitutent for the formation of surface physics, material analysis, University of Nevada, Reno, previ- water, would have escaped into applied nuclear physics, and earth­ space, depleting the earth and leaving quake prediction. a desert environment as a heritage of the process. This discovery led the two scien­ tists to postulate that a two-part formation process occurred, instead Caltech's spring musical: all in the family

Caltech's spring musical has long been hoping for an opportunity like been a community affair. Students, The Mikado." staff, spouses, and alumni join in the At the Institute he is studying fun, and faculty members make brief neurobiology, and conducting re­ but striking appearances as streetcar search on electrical excitability of conductors, bongo players, gang­ neurons and what determines and sters, Midwestern farmers, and what modifies a nerve cell's ability to salesmen. communicate with other nerve cells. This year- after a year when no His adviser is Henry Lester, professor musical was presented- community of biology. involvement has moved into yet In addition, he likes to play tennis another dimension, with an alumnus and to read- particularly philosophy, (Bruce McLaughlin, BS '77) directing drama, and light novels. Coming the production and a graduate stu­ from an Orthodox Jewish back­ dent (Arie Michelsohn) conducting ground, he notes that he "does some the orchestra. Performances of The Talmud." Mikado will be February 22-24 and "If I had any more interests," he March 1-3. adds, ''I'd be in trouble." Director McLaughlin is a veteran Michelsohn believes there are a lot of Caltech musicals. As a sophomore of opportunities at Cal tech for people 12 years ago, he led a student move with musical and theatrical interests. to revive· the AS CIT musical with a "You have to work hard here, but if production of Gilbert and Sullivan's you want to get involved in music or H.M.S. Pinafore. the theater, there's a place for you," He had acted in one musical in he says. high school. Damn Yankees, and, This year's musical will again be a with typical Caltech assurance, he Cal tech community event as stu­ tackled his new challenge without dents, campus and JPL staff mem­ alarm. He directed the show and bers, and wives and husbands con­ played the pivotal role of Sir Joseph tribute their talents. The production Porter. He went on to produce Pir­ will feature 12 principal characters, a ates of Penzance, and to be assistant chorus of 30, and about 25 orchestra director for The Student Prince . members. While he was a Cal tech student, he ''I'm very excited about the show," took part in several productions at says Michelsohn. "We have a good Cal State Los Angeles, including a Bruce McLaughlin (standing) and Arie Michelsohn sample Mikado melodies. cast, a solid foundation in the "world premiere" of the Gilbert and chorus, and a fine piece of comic Sullivan opera Thespis. "The atmos­ opera to work with." wings at Cal tech when he composed phere there was entirely different," he Mclaughlin got involved in his The biggest challenge, says some music for the fall 1984 produc­ says. "Most of the people involved newest theatrical adventure when he McLaughlin, will be in costumes and tion The Thirteen Clocks, by Thur­ were theater majors, trying to de­ stepped forward and asked Shirley makeup- particularly in makeup, Marneus, director of the theater arts ber. As musical director of The Mi­ velop theater as a profession, and it where artists must turn Anglos into program at Caltech, if he could direct kado, he will conduct the performing wasn't as much fun as what we do members of the Japanese court. this season's musical. Marneus said ensemble, ma.king musical decisions at Cal tech." "There are several Japanese in the "yes" with alacrity, and he soon was concerning interpretation of After he graduated and joined the production," says Mclaughlin. spending almost all of his non-JPL the score. JPL staff to work on the Mars lander, "They'll be the easy ones." hours on the production. (Rehearsals "Science is my career, but I'm an he continued to be involved occa­ McLaughlin wants to send word began in January, and some portion avid amateur musician," says Mi­ sionally in Cal tech musicals. (He about future productions to local of the show has been in rehearsal chelsohn. As an undergraduate at played a four-part role in Candide, alumni who are musical comedy almost every evening. There have Columbia University, he studied for example.) buffs and who have a desire to do been seven weeks to put it all music theory and music history. An astronomy major at Cal tech, more than watch others perform: together.) He sang with the Zamir Chorale, he has worked on several space­ "You're all welcome to be part of Not an easy schedule for a busy which rehearsed at the Jewish program projects at JPL, and is now the show." scientist. But very rewarding, says Theological Seminary, located a few helping the Voyager science office McLaughlin, especially when one can blocks from his campus; he sang with plan for the Uranus encounter in work with the words and music of the New Calliope Singers, a choral January 1986, as well as assisting Gilbert and Sullivan. "Their music group with a particular interest in with advance planning for the Mars and lyrics are delightful. and I enjoy twentieth century music; and he Observer Mission in 1990. the fact that there aren't any sweep­ studied conducting with Matthew ing social statements," he says, "just Lazar at the Hebrew Arts School. At fun poked at traditional Victorian Columbia he put together and con­ attitudes." ducted a chorus that performed at a Arie Michelsohn, musical director major arts festival, and he directed a for The Mikado, tested his theatrical small madrigal-motet group that sang music from the Renaissance period. "I learned a lot in college about conducting," he says, "and I had Football team leads fall sports pack: posts 5-3 record

MEN'S Acosta and Mike Jensen were 28th VOLLEYBALL FOOTBALL and 30th, John Luo was 35th, Dan CROSS COUNTRY Bikle was 37th, and James Davila When a new team gets a new The high level of competitiveness placed 43rd. At the annual awards developed by Tech's football team in coach, the year is one of rebuilding. Heroic efforts by Sean Moriarty, dinner, Sean Moriarty received the recent seasons continued this year as This year, new head women's volley­ the development of Darin Acosta and Paul Barthel Award as "Outstanding the Beavers posted a 5-3 record and ball coach Mary Jane Babyak, as­ Mike Jensen, and the arrival of tal­ Runner." John Gehring was recipient fell only 4 points short of a back-to­ sisted by John Garvey and Marty ented newcomers John Gehring, Dan of an award as "Outstanding back record of 7-l. Baxter, worked with five returning Bikle, and John Luo turned a poten­ Newcomer." A 14-11 loss to the University of players from last year's very success­ tially disastrous cross country season La Verne junior varsity occurred ful team, and with several fine into a success story- and prospects when, after trailing through much of newcomers. of true greatness lie in the near the contest, Tech's opponent took its future. WOMEN'S final margin with only 25 seconds left Due to the graduation of two in the contest. The following week CROSS COUNTRY seniors, the team began the season brought another defeat as the Valley without the number 1 and 2 runners Jennifer Haase led the Caltech Nomads scored early and battled the from the 1983 squad. Then the num­ women's cross country team again Beavers to the wire; Tech scored ber 3 runner became ineligible and this year with an outstanding perfor­ during the final minute, and, with the runner number 5 decided to transfer mance. Haase finished first in six point count 7-6, attempted a 2-point to water polo. meets, second in two meets, and conversion, only to see the pass and These events left the 1984 squad in third in one meet during the dual­ the victory melt away. shambles, with only runners 4, 6, meet season. Marit Jentoft-Nilsen and A local contest to celebrate Los and 8 from 1983 to lead a young and C1ea Bures also competed for Tech, Angeles's Street Scene 1984 featured inexperienced team. But team captain and improved steadily. Unfortunately Caltech's second appearance in the Sean Moriarty had trained well over Cal tech was unable to field a full Bola Amistad, pitted against the the summer, and Jensen and Acosta team of five runners, and was forced Northeast Los Angeles Bengals. The rounded quickly into good condition. to forfeit all of its dual meets. "Battling Beavers" won this version Newcomers Gehring, Bikle, and In the SCIAC championship, of the Friendship Bowl 52-28, notch­ Luo responded to workouts so Haase ran a strong race to finish in ing the third highest score in the quickly that the team was able to seventh place and to earn a first-team school's history. The final contest finish the season with a 7-7 record. all-conference status. A week later featured Cal tech versus Silver Lake The SCIAC championship meet she ran the greatest race of her Athletic Club in the first half of a was held on a brutal concrete hillside Caltech career to take eighth-place double-header. Cal tech won in a rare course at Whittier College. When it honors at the NCAA Division III shutout, 28-0. was all over, Occidental College once regional meet. Only four SCIAC Los Angeles Times sports writer again prevailed by a score of 26 to runners finished ahead of her. Scott Ostler gave Cal tech a rare Pomona's 33, followed by Redlands During the season, Jennifer set a mention on major sports pages as he at 78, Claremont at 132, Cal tech at new school record on the tough termed the Tech men a "Pasadena 136, La Verne at 152, and Whittier 5000-meter home course in the lower Powerhouse" near the season's end. at 196. arroyo. She was awarded "Outstand­ The 33 men who concluded Tech's Individually, Sean Moriarty was ing Runner" honors at the team 9lst football season celebrated at the 21st, John Gehring was 22nd, Darin dinner. annual football dinner at the Alumni House. Awards were bestowed upon Caltech's co-captains Larry Sverdrup and Dave Brinza; both were recog­ nized for their leadership. Don Thomas was chosen "Best Defender" while "Most Improved" honors we~t to Steve Lewis, and "Rookie of the Year" to Scott Miskovish. The Irv Noren Trophy for "Out­ standing Back" went to Lee Mallory, and the Max West Trophy for "Out­ Tammy Choy, a newcomer to women's standing Lineman" to Mike Burl. The volleyball this season, provided coveted Wheaton Trophy for "Out­ strength at defense. standing Talent and Leadership" was voted to Martin Brouillette, Caltech's Chris Tiller returned, as did Chris quarterback who transferred from Morris, who carne back to play McGill University. Larry Sverdrup middle blocker and to do some hard received a specially created "Battling hitting. Lynn Hildemann stepped in Beaver Spirit" award. as a setter, and Leslie Lippard played In the SCIAC competition, Occi­ again this year, mostly at defense, dental College won its second consec­ while Kathy Mixter-Mayne returned utive championship and NCAA to play at middle blocker. playoff berth, posting a perfect 10-0 season record. Oxy then lost to Continued on page 12 Central College from Iowa by one point in the NCAA Division III first-round playoffs. Sophomore Randy Brown takes a shot at the goal in a close water polo contest. 12

VOLLEYBALL WATER POLO THE WAY IT WAS Continued from page 11 The water polo team consisted of a mixture of tough veterans and raw 1932 News announces on October 20. Newcomers included Tammy recruits. Only four starters had Albert Einstein, a guest at Caltech Morgan is chairman of the Institute's Choy, who picked up defense varsity experience, and the remaining during 1932-33, announces on the eve Division of Biology and director of quickly, Jeanine Gainey, Laurie three spots were handled by sopho­ of his departure from Pasadena that the William G. Kerckhoff Myer, and two first-year students, mores with only a few minutes of he will not return home to Germany Biological Laboratories. Linda Schleuter and Nicole Vogt. playing time behind them. Thus the because of the Hitler dictatorship. "As With a season record of 4 wins and team developed slowly and lost long as there is a possibility, I will 1942 11 losses, the team beat old volleyball several close games early in the reside only in a land where tolerance Cal tech drops its barriers to rivals, Occidental and Pacific Coast season, finishing with a 4-17 and equality for all citizens before the women to allow them to enroll in Baptist Bible College, and met Pacific season mark. law are served," he says, according to special courses in aircraft drafting Christian, Christ College, and Whit­ Use of the new, all-deep pool the Pasadena Post on March 11. and topical map drafting, leading to tier J. V. in close matches. helped the team to improve behind Robert A. Millikan, chairman of the jobs in defense work, according to Next year the team will miss Chris the play of Dave Watkins, captain, Institute's executive council, celebrates the Star News on June 26. Because of Tiller, Chris Morris, and Leslie Lip­ and Jim Labrenz. Labrenz was the his 65th birthday by working all day the urgent need for men with some pard- ali of whom will graduate­ only player on the 22-man roster on the campus, according to the Post engineering training, Cal tech begins but will be left with a strong group of with high school experience. on March 23. to offer tuition-free courses in engi­ returning players. Observed coach Both Watkins and Labrenz played neering mechanics and materials and Millikan becomes a member of the Babyak, "With a Il\ore experienced primarily a defensive position and Emergency Committee in Aid of design, the Star News reports on . team, we can look forward to a more still pumped in 78 of the team's 177 Displaced German Scholars, formed August 10. complex offense and to an improved goals. Paul Graven and Hans Her­ to administer funds to help intellectual record." mans controlled the inside game, refugees of the Hitler regime. "Many After consultation with the Army, In SCIAC competition, La Verne teaming up to score 69 goals from the scholars, including some of the most Caltech adopts a rigorous new physi­ was undefeated and advanced to hole position. distinguished in the world, have lost cal training program to put every NCAA Division III playoffs. Occi­ Sophomores who improved rap­ their jobs, are without means, and student in "the pink of physical dental finished second and Redlands idly from the start were Paul Picci­ must leave their homeland," relates condition," according to the Star was third. rillo, Vincent Ferrante, and Randy the Pasadena Star N ews on July 21. News on September 28. The program Brown. Strong goalie play was pro­ is part of an effort to "help win the vided by Fred Ferrante and Stan Thomas Hunt Morgan is awarded the war," says Millikan, who remarks Berman. Both did an excellent job in 1933 Nobel Prize in medicine for his that in the past, "college athletes have the cage, and kept Tech in competi­ research concerning the eugenic func­ consisted for the most part of stu­ tioning of chromosomes, the Slar MIT downs Tech tion in several close games. dents sitting on bleachers." in "invitational To help meet the continuing heavy demand for junior engineers, Cal tech brain tournament" opens a training program for women college graduates who plan to work in The result of Caltech's first encoun­ the war effort. The tuition-free course ter with MIT on the basketball court in engineering fundamentals will meet was not an occasion for a victory for a full day, five days a week, ac­ celebration: Tech lost, 71-46. cording to the Star News on Nevertheless, the game marked an December 18. exceptional occasion- the First Lo­ pata Invitational Basketball Tourna­ 1955 ment, hosted by Washington Univer­ Linus Pauling, chairman of sity in St. Louis. Cal tech's Division of Chemistry and The two-night event, dubbed by Chemical Engineering, awarded the Los Angeles Times sports writer Scott 1954 Nobel Prize in chemistry, is on Ostler as "The Invitational Tourna­ his way to Stockholm to receive the ment of Brains," was held to match prize and then on to a three-month basketball teams from schools with trip around the world, reports Engi­ superior academic standards and neering and Science in January. similar philosophies of athletics-that Pauling is honored for his research is, with little or no emphasis on into the nature of the chemical bond recruiting and without undue pres­ and the structure of proteins. sure to win. In addition to Cal tech and the Caltech's long-awaited athletic facil­ tournament host, the other partici­ ity, Scott Brown Gymnasium, is open pants were MIT and Johns Hopkins. for business, according to E&S in Thus, even if Cal tech lost to February. The $400,000 gymnasium Washington University the first night "looks like an airplane hangar"; its (November 30) and to MIT the sec­ first sports event: a Cal tech basket­ ond night, the Techers placed fourth ball game with Long Beach State. against competition (again quoting Ostler) "of lofty academic standing, Cal tech's first woman graduate, high philosophic ideals, and noble Dorothy Ann Semenow, is awarded athletic intentions." her PhD in chemistry and biology at Ostler closed his report by noting commencement ceremonies, relates E&S in June. that the scouts judged the Beavers to Washington University greets the Beavers with stiff opposition in Tech's first game in be "weak in rebounding and outside the Lopata Invitational Basketball Tournament hosted by WU in St. Louis. Caltech shooting, but strong in theoretical players are, from left, Chris Cotterel, Jim Helgren, Brian Porter, and Brett Bush. physics." Tech lost to both WU and MIT, to finish fourth in a field of four. __ 13

Alumni reunion schedule announced Alumnus Vibber takes literary look

Alumni who graduated 50 years cocktails in the newly landscaped Caltech, on Cal tech pranks. The at Star Wars cast ago-and at five-year intervals since yard of the Alumni House at 6. Rathskellar will remain open for that time-will celebrate this spring Dinner will be at 7:30 p.m. in the conversation after the program. Class Among the many Star Wars fans with reunions on the campus. Gradu­ Athenaeum. Class members are officers are contacting the student who gathered in little clusters to ates are invited to contact the Alumni asked to contact the Alumni Associa­ houses to arrange 5 p .m . social hours discuss the characters in the saga, Association (818-356-6592) to share tion with humorous stories, or ac­ in each lounge. their psychological makeup, and ideas and to offer assistance in help­ counts of pranks, that they would their motivations, was Lee (Weigle) ing to plan reunion programs. like presented as part of the after-din­ Class of 1975 Vibber (BS '74) . Vibber, who earned ner program. Class officers have selected April her degree from Caltech in English, Half Century Club Reunion 13 for the ten-year reunion of the and two of her companions-in­ The Half Century Club will wel­ Class of 1955 class of 1975 and are contacting the discussion, went a step further than come inductees from the class of 1935 Classmates will gather at the student houses, and potential faculty the others. They wrote a book of when new members are honored on Alumni House on May 11. The even­ speakers, as they arrange a Saturday essays, In a Faraway Galaxy: A June 1. Festivities for this class, and ing will include campus tours, a so­ afternoon program. A social hour at Literary Approach to a Film Saga, for all alumni who graduated earlier, cial hour, and dinner. the Athenaeum will begin at 5:30 and they contacted alumnus Gavin will begin in the Athenaeum lounge p.m., followed by dinner at 7. The Claypool (BS '75) for help in getting with a social hour at 11:45 a.m., Class 011960 planning committee notes that the it printed. followed by lunch al12:30 p.m. This is a special year for the class dinner program will feature a surprise For several years, Claypool has Class gifts to the Institute will be of 1960, which celebrates its 25th speaker. owned and operated his own publish­ presented by the classes of 1925, anniversary. Reunion festivities begin ing business, Extequer Press, in 1930, and 1935. at 6 p.m. on May 27 with dinner at Class of 1980 Pasadena, specializing in books Campus tours will be conducted the horne of Martin Kaplan in the The reunion committee for the relating to the fields of science fiction after lunch. The class of 1935 will Chapman Woods area of Pasadena. class of 1980 met in January, and and fantasy. meet again at 5:30 p.m. at the The following day, Seminar Day on reunion details will appear in April in The printed product appeared in Alumni House for a social hour the campus, will include a special Caltech News. August this year. The contents of In a and dinner. luncheon for class members and Faraway Galaxy provide readers with guests in Dabney Gardens. Reunion Class of 1930 activities conclude with a cocktail Members of the class of 1930 and party at the Alumni House, dinner in their guests will have dinner at the the Athenaeum, and a concert by the Athenaeum on May 31, beginning Caltech Glee Club. ' with cocktails at 5 p.m. and dinner at Papas elected 6, before joining in Half Century Class of 1965 Club festivities the following day. April 13 is reunion day for the foreign member class of 1965, whose members will of European academy Class of 1940 gather at the Alumni House with The class of 1940 will celebrate its guests at 4 p.m. to begin tours of the reunion on June 8, beginning with campus. A social hour at 5:30 p.m., Charles H. Papas, professor of campus tours from the Alumni followed by dinner at the Athenaeum electrical engineering at Caltech, has House at 4 p.m. A social hour at the at 7, and a guest speaker (to be been elected a Foreign Member of the Alumni House will be from 5 to 6:30 announced) will round out Bologna Academy of Sciences, one of p.m., with dinner at the Athenaeum the program. the oldest of European academies, in at 7. After hearing a guest speaker (to recognition of his work in electro­ be announced), guests may adjourn Class of 1970 magnetic theory. an essay on each of the main charac­ to the Rathskellar in the Athenaeum The class of 1970 has chosen May Papas joined the Cal tech faculty in ters, describing the literary anteced­ basement for more conversation. 17 for its reunion. Class members and 1952 and was appointed professor in ents, plots, and themes, and analyz­ guests will gather at 6 p.m. for cock­ 1959. In addition to his work with ing how the characters interacted electromagnetism, his current re­ Class of 1945 tails at the Athenaeum, followed by with one another, and grew in the search focuses on microwaves, radio June 7 is reunion day for the class dinner at 8 p.m. and a presentation telling of the tale. Vibber and Doris physics, and gravitational electro­ of 1945. Activities begin with campus by Adrian C. (Chip) Smith (BS '70), Robin are the authors of this section. tours from the Alumni House at 4:30 one of the editors of Legends of dynamics. A final essay by Gracia Fay Bouw­ p .m., followed by a social hour at man Ellwood analyzes the use of the 5:30 and dinner at 7 in the Alumni Force in Star Wars and asks whether House. Class members are asked to Goals The Alumni Fund the Force is a reality in our world. send memorabilia of their Caltech Vibber lives in Tustin, California, $1,800,000 $7,900 $1,100 1984-85 years to the Alumni Association with her husband and two small (1-97, Pasadena 91125); their return is As of January 21 , 1985 sons, who, at present, provide her guaranteed by the planning 4,472 with a full-time work assignment. 1,102,110 57% committee. 61% Husband Jim Vibber (BS '73, BS '74) is a research and development engi­ Class of 1950 neer with AM Hospital Supply. Class members will meet at the Persons wanting to obtain a copy Alumni House at 5 p.m. on June 8 of the soft-cover book at $6 .97 may for campus tours, and will return for contact Gavin Claypool at Ex tequer Press, Box 60193, Pasadena 91106.

DOLLARS DONORS VOLUNTEERS LETTERS ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

Dear Editor: Dear Editor: February 22 May 9 The letter of G. R. Brown (BS '40) Concerning the article on Freshman Student musical. Opening night of Luncheon for Santa Cruz-area in the June 1984 Caltech News, re­ Camp 1984 in the December issue, I The Mikado, beginning with dinner alumni. See March listing for time porting events of the late 1930s, have several comments: The genius at the Athenaeum followed by the and place. brings to mind a few pranks of the who dreamed up Frosh Camp was performance in Ramo Auditorium. 1920s that might have been included not a single person. Freshman ~amp The evening will conclude with a May 10 in Caltech News if each of us oldtim­ came about because of members of party at the Athenaeum, attended by Luncheon for Sacramento-area ers hadn't decided to leave the report­ an organization committed to meet­ the cast in costume. alumni. See March 8 listing for ting to others. Rumors of pranks ing the needs of fellow students in details. happening around 1920 or before their community. This organization March 8 and 15 were bei.ngpassed around when I was the Caltech YMCA-now the Winetastings for Alumni Association May 16 came to Tech in 1922. Cal tech Y. The idea came into being members. Two Friday evening wine Luncheon for San Francisco-area One of these concerns the statue of at Cal tech by Charles Schweize, the tasting programs featuring California alumni. See March listing for time Apollo, then adorning the front hall first fulltime secretary; in 1926. wines will be held in the Athenaeum. and place. to Throop Hall. The statue was As one who attended Freshman Champagnes will be served at 7 p.m. desecrated one night by having cer­ Camp almost every year between and a program by Bruce Hotra of May 18 tain portions painted brilliant red. At 1946 and '1976, I'm pleased to see that Huntington Market will begin at The 48th annual Seminar Day, least one culprit was expelled and it is in good health. But I was be­ 7:30. Cost: $15 per person. featuring research seminars by exiled to MIT, where he graduated. mused by the phrase in the article, Reservations required. Caltech faculty members and exhibits He later returned to Tech, where he "the carefree freshmen." Not in my on the Cal tech campus. became a favorite professor in the experience in meeting freshmen over March 8 mechanical engineering department. the years. Luncheon for Sacramento-area June 21 It was announced at one assembly alumni. 12 noon, Rosemount Grill, The Paris alumni chapter will be host that after the end of the meeting, the Sincerely, Folsom Boulevard at 31st Street. to R. David Middlebrook, professor Wesley L. Hershey freshman class would assemble on Contact George Langsner, of electrical engineering, who will Executive Secretary Emeritus, the steps of Throop Hall for a group 916/487-9938. speak on "Electrical Power Control photograph. The photographer had The Cal tech YMCA Reborn - A New Era." Interested his camera on a tripod, ready and March 14 alumni should contact Mr. Bloch at waiting. Also ready and waiting, and Luncheon for Santa Cruz-area 561-0128 or 563-5416. out of sight at the windows directly alumni, 12 noon, Hollins House, above the steps, were a dozen or Alumni to tour Pasatiempo Golf Course. Contact Contact the Alumni Association for more sophomores with tubs of water. Appalachian Don Cleveland for reservations. more information on any of these The operation was a complete programs: 818/356-6592. success, with many a witless frosh countryside March 21 given a good drenching. Beautiful rural countryside, his­ Luncheon for San Francisco-area toric buildings, quaint villages, pros­ alumni, 12 noon, Ming's Restaurant, Best regards, Palo Alto. Contact Hugh Dubb for Ted Gillil and (BS '27) perous farms, and Amish establish­ Caltech Glee Club ments add charm to the geology of reservations. We regret that space limitations the Appalachian region to be toured plans Northwest tour preclude tl1e publication of all the by Alumni in June. March 24-30 pranks il1c1uded in Mr. Gilliland's Robert Sharp (Robert P. Sharp Caltech Glee Club tour of the The Cal tech Glee Club will tour lettel: Professor of Geology, Emeritus) and Northwest. See separate story for the Pacific Northwest on March Lauren A. Wright (PhD '5i) of Penn­ details. 24-30. Alumni wishing to accommo­ Dear Ms. Aspaturian: sylvania State University will lead the date members overnight are asked to You wrote a most enjoyable article three-day field trip to central Aprilll contact the Alumni Association, about Freshman Camp at Catalina. Pennsylvania. Luncheon for Santa Cruz-area 818/356-6594. However, someone led you astray as Travelers will meet at noon on alumni. See March listing for time A preliminary schedule calls for to the origin of the name, Camp Fox. Friday, June 14, in Hershey, Pennsyl­ and place. the Glee Club to fly to Vancouver, The camping session for freshmen vania, and will travel by bus to British Columbia, on March 23, to at Catalina had not been established Cornwall, Harrisburg, and Boiling April 12 sing in Seattle on March 24, to travel when I entered Tech in 1934. But Springs. They will stay overnight at Luncheon for San Francisco-area to Mount Ranier National Park on during the years between 1927 and the Allenberry Resort Inn. . alumni. See March listing for time March 25, and to sing in Richland, 1934, I attended camp on the island The following day they will tour and place. Washington, on March 26, in Port­ almost every summer, first as a the classical valley and ridge province land on March 27, in Olympia, camper and later as a tent leader. At of the Appalachian Mountains as April 12 Washington, on March 28, and on that time, we were all aware that the they move along the Susquehanna Luncheon for Sacramento-area Vashan Island, Puget Sound, also on camp was named for a Mr. Fox, River to Lewisburg, west to Centre alumni. See March 8 listing for March 28. A concert will be arranged whose generous support was a major Hall, and south to Gettysburg on details. in Victoria, British Columbia, on factor in making it possible. He was Highway 34. Exploration of a lime­ March 29, and in Vancouver on one of the owners of the Fox-Wood­ stone cavern, collection of fossils, May 5 March 30. A morning concert in sum Lumber Company in Glendale. and inspection of classical Appala­ Laguna chapter program. The Vancouver on March 31 is antici­ I don't remember ever seeing any chian landforms will be fe"tured. Laguna alumni chapter will host the pated, before the Glee Club returns foxes around the camp at that time, The explorers will spend Sunday Caltech Glee Club. Alumni and that evening to Los Angeles. or even being aware that they ex­ morning on the Gettysburg battle­ guests are invited to Leisure World, All alumni in the area will receive isted. We saw lots of goats and field, paying special attention to the Club House III, at 2 p.m. for a con­ ·personal invitations to concerts, for boars, and an occasional rattlesnake. role of the topography in the Union cert. A reception will follow. Reser­ themselves and their guests. Dates, It was also reported that snipe could victory. They will conclude the trip vations: $5 per person. Contact the times, locations, and directions will be hunted under suitable conditions. with lunch at Hershey. Alumni Association (818/356-6592) be included. for more information. Sincerely, Cost per person will be $250. Norman Wimpress, BS '38 Contact the Alumni Association, 818/356-6592, to register early. 15

1940 1949 EDWARD OAKES DICKERSON, in 1984. JOHN HEATH, JR., writes from his home in Obituaries After graduating from Caltech, Dickerson Personals Rolling Hills, California: "Nancy and I are went to work for North American Aviation rattling around our big house now that the 1925 which evolved into Rockwell International. 1939 youngest of our four children is away at With Rockwell for 44 years, he retired in college. This past year, for one of my clients, COLLIS D. SPURLIN, Ex, on November 14, HARRY MAJORS, JR., MS, professor we have gone to Spain, Brazil, and the of heart failure. He had retired as equipment February 1984 as supervisor for fuselage emeritus at Seattle University; has been stress analysis. He was senior warden of St. Philippines. Last month I was promoted to manager with Southern California Telephone named a Life Fellow of the American Society senior vice president of Marshall and Stevens Company; where he had worked for 43 Nicholas Episcopal Church, Encino, of Mechanical Engineers, for significant California. Survivors are his wife, Incorporated, a national appraisal firm, and years, and was living in Whittier, California. contributions to the field of engineering. He Bernardine, and two sons, Edward and have responsibility for marketing, advertis­ His wife, Marjorie, writes, "He went but a is former chairman of the mechanical ing, professional practice standards, prop­ short time to Throop Tech: but had to drop John. engineering department at Seattle, and is erty tax work, and act as senior project out because of finances. He always loved currently director of the school's graduate manager .on large and unique acquisition Caltech and watched its growth with 1943 program in transportation engineering. enthusiasm." FREDERICK H. TENNEY, at age 62, on valuation assignments. What free time I have, I tend to my collection of over 400 August 22. He had been a research physicist 1942 at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, . orchid plants." 1930 HUGH A. BAIRD, MS '46, has been named Princeton University; where he was investi­ SIDNEY ZIPSER, on November 2, of cancer, chairman and chief executive officer of C F gating controlled thermonuclear fusion. He 1960 following a short illness. He had continued Braun & Company Engineers of Alhambra, was co-founder and former president of the EDWARD R. H. McDOWELL, MS, PhD to work part-time following his retirement California, after serving as the company's Ethical Culture Fellowship of Princeton, '64, manager of the Reservoir Engineering from electronic and mechanical-optical president since 1979. design for such firms as Technicolor and former president of the Princeton chapter of Division, Chevron Oil Field Research United World Federalists, and an active Company; La Habra, California, has been Spectrolab, and was living in Three Rivers, DONALD K. JEPHCOTT writes from his member of the Peace Education Committee named a Fellow of the American Institute of California. An early participant in the Fair Oaks, California, home: "On October of the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament. Chemical Engineers for his contributions to development of Technicolor, he joined 1, 1984, I retired from my position as chief He is survived by his wife, Dr. Lillian Baurn improved petroleum recovery from previ­ Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation structural engineer of the structural safety Tenney, three sons, and a daughter. ously used reservoirs. after his graduation from Caltech, and section, office of the state architect, after 29 worked there as a research engineer and years. The SSS was primarily responsible for photographer for many years, later becom­ 1947 administration of the Field Act of 1933 1966 ing a photographer in the Italian war zone WESLEY M. DYNES, of cancer, on Novem­ (Public School Building Earthquake Safety) STEPHEN D. CLAMAGE, vice president of during World War II . He is survived by his ber 8. He had retired as vice president of and the !iospital Seismic Safety Act of 1973. TauMetric Corporation in San Diego, his wife, Lillian. Ingersoll-Rand Corporation, in Woodcliff My plans are to continue with limited wife, Lynne, and daughter Jessica, age 3, Lake, New Jersey; where he had worked in consulting on seismic safety; and for the welcomed a son and brother, David Saul. on 1933 management and engineering positions for present Alice and I will remain in September 30. ERNEST H. LYONS, JR., MS, in September. 36 years, and was living in San Juan Capis­ Fair Oaks." Following his retirement as an electro­ trano, California. HENRY G. SCHWARTZ, JR., PhD, vice chemistry consultant in 1971, he had become 1943 president and corporate principal of the a self..,mployed Christian Science practi­ MERRILL H. SAPPINGTON, MS, in Sverdrup Corporation in St. Louis, Mis­ November 1983. He had been a Rear Admi­ DAVID M. MASON, MS '47, PhD '49, tioner. He was living in Laguna Hills, professor of chemical engineering and souri, has been elected 1984-85 president of California. ral (Retired) with the U.S. Navy and was the Water Pollution Control Federation. living in Mclean, Virginia. He is survived by chemistry at Stanford, and a past recipient of Caltech's Distinguished Alumnus Award, his wife, Kathryn. BERNHARD N. PALM, on October 29, has been named a winner of the 1984 Foun­ 1968 follOwing a brief illness. He had been presi­ CARTER SINCLAIR, in October, of a heart ders Award given by the American Institute LES G. RSHBONE sends word from Stony dent of Motor Control Corporation in Brook, New York, "On March 25, my wife attack. He had been senior project engineer of Chemical Engineers. A specialist in Anaheim, California, and was living in applied thermodynamics and kinetics gave birth to our second son, Daniel Tobias with General Electric in Salem, Virginia, Fullerton. His wife, Berdine, and three research, he has conducted studies' in heat Leib, thereby suspending her weaving hobby where he also lived. children survive him. transfer, electrocatalysis, and photochemical and ensuring a frenetic household. For the reactor design that have resulted in two U.S. past few years I have been working on 1934 1948 patents and numerous technical publications. nuclear-material safeguards at Brookhaven ROLAND H. ESCHERICH, on November W. DONHAM CRAWFORD, MS, at age 61, He was a research group supervisor with JPL National Laboratory, with an occasional 5. He had been president of Roland H. on September 1, of amytrophic lateral for six years, and has served as chairman of consulting trip to the International Atomic Escherich Construction, Inc., in Los Angeles, sclerosis, also known as Lou Gherig's dis­ Stanford's department of chemical engi­ Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria." and was living in Pasadena. He is survived ease. He had retired as chairman of the neering, chairman of the advisory board of by his wife, Jeane, two sons, a daughter, and Texas-based Gulf States Utilities Company of the academic council. and associate dean of 1970 Houston, and was living in Beaumont, four grandchildren. engineering for student-faculty affairs. An VICTOR L. BRESSON received his doctor Texas. He had previously been managing endowed lectureship was established in his of medicine degree in June from the Univer­ director and then president of the Edison name at Stanford in 1975. sity of Minnesota Medical School. 1935 Electric Institute, and vice president of ROSCOE H. MILLS, PhD, on August 22, at Middle South Utilities. He was also a mem­ 1945 78, of pneumonia and heart failure. He had ber of the Lamar University Board of Re­ 1977 F. MILES DAY sends this update from been retired for 18 years as a research gents, honorary chairman of the board of DAVID J. E. CALLAWAY writes from Los engineer for the Air Force at Wright-Patter­ Philadelphia: "I retired early at age 60 from Alamos National Laboratories, New Mexico, Gulf States, and a trustee and vice chairman Conrail, where I had last been manager of son Air Force Base, Ohio, and was living in of the Thomas Alva Edison Foundation, "Spent 1983-1984 as a postdoc in the Theo­ Kettering, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, facilities- coal and ore transfer docks. I'm retical Division at CERN, the European which encourages young people to pursue now sailing-single-handed-my 27-foot Jane, a daughter, a son, and two careers in science, technology, and engi­ laboratory for particle physics, located in sailing yacht to the Bahamas and hopefully grandchildren. neering. His wife, the former Colene King, Geneva. Made the obligatory tour of Eu­ to Puerto Rico and the Virgins. Next year rope, and then explored the Middle East, one daughter, two sons, and a grandson after finishing this cruise, l'\l consider what 1936 survive him. Africa, and the Arctic. In Switzerland you comes next." WILSON M. BRUBAKER, PhD, on Septem­ have to climb mountains, so of course I did ber 9. He had been a self..,mployed consul­ the Matterhorn and went to France t.o solo 1957 1948 the Mont Blanc (the tallest mountain in tant and was living in Arcadia, California. ALAN F. BERNDT. PhD, age 52, of cancer, J. FRANK VALLE-RIESTRA, MS '49, Europe). Attempted to solo the Eiger but an on May 30. He had been professor of research scientist and manager of chemical ice storm forced retreat, partly assisted by an 1938 chemistry at the University of Missouri- engineering research and development for avalanche. And, oh yes, did manage to get CHRIS GREGORY. MS '39, PhD '41, on St. Louis, where he specialized in. solid state Dow Chemical's Western Applied Science some physics done (mainly lattice May 3, 1983. He had been professor emeri­ chemistry and X-ray crystallography. His and Technology Laboratories in Pittsburg, gauge theory)." tus of mathematics at the University of wife, Marion, one daughter, and two sons California, has been selected the 1984 Hawaii and was living in Honolulu. survive him. recipient of the Award in Chemical Engi­ 1982 neering Practice by the American Institute of WILLIAM R. BROWNLIE, PhD, principal 1961 Chemical Engineers for "his contribution to engineer with Tetra Tech, Inc., in Pasadena, NORMAN E. ALBERT. PhD. He had been the systemization of project management has won the 1984 Alfred Nobel Prize of the professor in the chemistry department of San and project evaluation in the chemical American Society of Civil Engineers, pre­ Jose State University in San Jose, California. process industries." The author of ten sented annually to an engineer under the age technical papers and several Dow patents, he of 31 who has written a technical paper of also teaches a graduate course in chemical "exceptional merit" on civil engineering. engineering economics and project evalua­ Brownlie received the prize for his paper tion at UC Berkeley and writes a monthly "Row Depth in Sand-Bed Channels," column on hiking trails in the publication published in the society's Hydraulic Engi­ Museum SCfme. neering10umal in July 1983. CALTECH NEWS

Lloyd House chose "Hell" as its theme for the Interhouse dance, and"Min Su.Yun played a devilishly satisfying role.

CALTECH Caltech's w. M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea will contain the world's NEWS largest optical telescope. See page 1. February 1985 California Insititute of Technology 1201 E. California Boulevard Pasadena, California 91125

Published for Alumni and Friends of the California Insititute of Technology Volume 19, No. 1, February 1985