History of Physics Award

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A Forum of The American Physical Society • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Feb 2002 ofPhysics HISTORYNEWSLETTER HISTORY OF PHYSICS AWARD

– Benjamin Bederson, Forum Chair

I am happy to relay to you the information that our Forum is proposed … would fill a unique role in the scholarly community as initiating an award for excellence in the history of physics. The well as the community of physicists. awardees will be selected by a distinguished group of historians of The letter then included details of how the proposed award was science and others using the highest standards of selection criteria. to be managed. The idea for the award was originally presented by Laurie Brown continued on page 2 with the help of several others on the FHP Executive Committee last year. It was approved by our Executive Committee and then submitted to the APS Council for consideration, and approved last May. I FORUM ELECTION briefly outline the principal developments which have led to its present status. Forum Elections information is contained in this In May, 2001 the then Chair of FHP, Laurie Brown, wrote the Newsletter. Please vote for Vice Chair and two Members at following letter to the APS Council: Large of the Executive Committee. If you have email The Forum on the History of Physics (FHP) of the American registered with APS, you will have received a message Physical Society has noted that among the many professional inviting you to vote electronically, as authorized by the organizations with which historians of physics affiliate, no award FHP Executive Committee. If not, you should have received specifically for excellence in the history of physics has heretofore a paper ballot by mail. If you want a paper ballot but have been established. Although there are a number of awards for not yet received one, please email your request, including history of science given by relevant organizations, the Award of your mailing address, to [email protected] or contact Outstanding Contributions to the History of Physics that is Kenneth W. Ford, 729 W. Westview Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119-3533, 215 844-8054. Ballots must be returned so they can be received by March 18 in order to notify winning candidates and invite them to the April Executive Committee meeting. Brief resumes and statements from the candidates are printed later in this Newsletter.

INSIDE

Editor’s Note 2

Reports 3

Forum News 3

APS and AIP News 5

Notes and Announcements 5

Forum Election 8

Book Review 11

Eugene Wigner, courtesy Wigner, Eugene AIP Segre Photo Archives Ways of Knowing: A new history of science, Eugene Wigner was born November 17, 1902 in Budapest. He received the technology, and medicine Nobel Prize in 1963. He died in 1995. See the notice below of a session at John V. Pickstone the upcoming April APS meeting in Albuquerque remembering Wigner in this centennial year of his birth. Council authorized the award. At a later Harry Lustig, Michael Riordan, and Roger Hoddeson, Gerald Holton, Daniel J. Kevles, meeting the APS Executive Board passed the Stuewer. Somewhat later, in anticipation that Neal Lane, Philip Morrison, Hans J. Quiesser, following resolution: the Center for History of Physics of the Robert Resnick, John S. Toll and Carl That the Executive Board approves American Institute of Physics would join in Tomizuka. fundraising for a joint APS/AIP History of co-sponsoring the award, Spencer Weart, A first gift has already been received – a Physics Award. Fundraising for the Award Director of the Center, was added to the pledge for $5,000 from a member of the will be coordinated with AIP and will have committee. Executive Committee. Our Award Committee a goal of $100,000. The annual amount for The first action of the Award Committee is now working diligently, first to identify the award will be $5,000 and presentation was to enlist the help of a group of individu- major donors and also to involve as many of the Award will begin when the endow- als of high visibility in identifying potential historians of physics and physicists them- ment goal is reached. donors, and who might serve as donors themselves as possible in this important effort. After the initial approval by Council an selves. This group, still in formation, has Readers of this Newsletter are encouraged Award Committee was established by FHP, been designated as the Executive Commit- to contact any of the members of the Award whose first task was to take responsibility tee of the Award Committee. Its members Committee with suggestions for potential for the fund raising effort. The committee thus far consist of Samuel B. Ballen, D. Allan donors or for nominations to the Executive consists of the following: B Bederson, Bromley, Russell J. Donnelly, Hans Committee. (Chair), Stephen G Brush, Gloria B Lubkin, Frauenfelder, Jerome Friedman, Lillian Editor’s Note

Perspective Samuel Glasstone. (Macmillan, 1940. Pp. Howard Huff commented also that he Not unexpectedly, I have had several 1289. 42s.) A postscript. bought Glasstone’s book in the late 50’s and interesting responses to my publication of In the city referred to in a recent review looked at it “as a compendium of many Guggenheim’s rather sharp review of (Trans. Faraday Soc., 38 , 120) there were topics for a quick read to touch upon the Glasstone’s Physical Chemistry. Thomas many young and somewhat inexperienced major topics in the field. His discussion of Hickmott provided a copy of a second immigrants, needing urgently a comprehen- Potential Energy Curves on p. 573-575 and review published a couple of months after sive guide book so that they might quickly the 2nd law on p.215-220, for example, were Guggenheim’s [Transactions of the Faraday learn their way about the city and come with- OK! I enjoyed perusing the book. But I don’t Society 38:214 (1942)]: out undue delay into the contemplation of think it was meant to be a perspective of Textbook of Physical Chemistry. By the numerous and important works of art “how we arrived where we are.” found in its various districts. A well known We should be fair to Glasstone, whose art critic, resident in the city, one who was book certainly has its uses, but of course of Physics naturally jealous of the fair fame of its art, my purpose was – and is – to emphasize the HISTORYNEWSLETTER took exception to the illustrated guide book, importance of perspective in teaching, in which, despite the herculean nature of the learning, in research, and even moreso in The History of Physics Newsletter task attempted by its author, did somehow communicating science to the public. is published twice each year by the manage rather creditably to provide not only History of physics can help provide that per- Forum on History of Physics of the a well arranged guide, but also an informa- spective. “An acquaintance with history, real American Physical Society. It is tive, and in many respects very clear, history with its loose ends and blind alleys, distributed free to all members of the panorama of the city. This was found useful brings perspective to any discipline. The Forum. The Forum also has reciprocal not only by many of the immigrants, but also history of physics is no exception.” I want arrangements with History of Science by some of those guides whose duty it was to place particular emphasis on the value of Society, Philosophy of Science Asso- to instruct the immigrants in the laws and the perspective of history when communi- ciation, and HOPOS. Others who wish customs of the city. One of these was even cating science to the public. There, for a to receive it should make a donation to stimulated by a not entirely unfavourable healthy relationship with society, I believe the Forum of $5 per year (+$3 additional remark made by the art critic, to obtain a copy we must both communicate the accomplish- for air mail). Each 3-year volume of the guide book; and basing his action on ments of science and give some insight into consists of six issues. long acquaintance with, and a very consid- the nature of science: how science goes Editor: erable respect for, both the critic and the about its business, and that scientific William E. Evenson author, rushed immediately to buy a copy. understanding of the physical world brings Department of Physics He found, and still finds, that his apparently reliable knowledge of the world. The Brigham Young University precipitate action was well judged, and oth- perspective of physics history is essential Provo, UT 84602 ers whom he has advised to do likewise have in this effort. e-mail: [email protected] also shown appreciation of the advice. He tel: (801) 378-6078 appends his initials. N. K. A. 2 History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 Reports

History of Physics Notes the above elements, as the band gap Fermi’s Group in the Thirties,” Judy α− The sixth annual Seven Pines Sympo- decreases from diamond to tin, the Goodstein (Cal Tech), “Italian Culture sium will be held in May, 2002, on the metallicity parameter increases.” Under Fascism,” Paolo Fabbri (U of subject, “Symmetry and Symmetry Breaking Dr. J.M.H. (Anneke) Levelt Sengers of Bologna), “Croce, Fermi, and Gentile: Italian in Physics.” A report will appear in the next N.I.S.T. presented a talk entitled “Korteweg’s Intellectuals in the 1920’s and 1930’s,” Nina issue of this Newsletter. Theory of Plaits on Surfaces (1891)” that was Byers (UCLA), “Fermi and Szilard,” Barton “Striving for Standards,” a Smithsonian given at the 86th Statistical Mechanics Bernstein (Stanford), “Fermi and Nuclear exhibit celebrating the centennial of the Conference in celebration of Michael E. Weapons,” Richard L. Garwin (Council on National Bureau of Standards/National In- Fisher’s 70th birthday at Rutgers University Foreign Relations), “The Rise and Fall of stitute of Standards and Technology, was at on 16 December 2001. Korteweg’s early work Nuclear Weaponry, 1945-2001,” and Arthur the National Museum of American History constituted a Landau-type theory of the Rosenfeld (Commissioner, California Energy for several months beginning in July, 2001. thermodynamics of systems near criticality. Commission), “From Over-Reliance on This exhibit, in a hallway exhibit case, in- A Symposium on the Life and Times of Nuclear Power to a Balance of Supply and cluded several instruments and photographs Enrico Fermi was held at UCLA November Demand.” from NBS/NIST of historic importance. These 30-December 1, 2001. This event was held to There was also a “Fermi’s Students included instruments related to three commemorate Enrico Fermi in the100th year Roundtable” that included Geoffrey Chew generations of length standards, the metric from his birth. The symposium reviewed (UC Berkeley), Richard Garwin, Marvin L. conversion program, and color standards. Fermi’s scientific contributions and teach- Goldberger (UCSD), Jay Orear (Cornell), Howard Huff (International SEMATECH, ing legacy, and at the same time looked at Arthur Rosenfeld, Gaurang Yodh (UC [email protected]) shared his how Fermi and other scientists responded Irvine), Nina Byers, Steven Moszkowski, and article on “John Bardeen and Transistor to the extraordinary political and social W. Slater (UCLA). A “Panel on Current Physics,” detailing who did what and why upheaval in which they found themselves. Issues on Nuclear Weapons Policy” was from the critical days of November 17 to Fermi’s remarkable legacy of “doing moderated by Michael Intriligator (UCLA), December 16, 1947 for Bardeen and Brattain physics” and teaching physics continues to with Richard L. Garwin, Jonathan Schell and from December 24, 1947 to January 23, the present day, along with his many impor- (The Nation Institute, New York), Bruce Blair 1948 for Shockley. It is to be found in CP550, tant contributions to modern physics in the (Director, Center for Defense Information, Characterization and Metrology for ULSI theory of the weak interaction, Fermi-Dirac Washington D.C.), and R. Coyle (Center for Technology: 2000 International Confer- statistics, nuclear and high-energy physics, Defense Information, Washington, DC). ence, D. G. Seiler et al., eds., published by and many other areas. He played a key role Roberto Peccei (Vice Chancellor for AIP. in the development of atomic energy and the Research and Physics and Astronomy Huff also remarked on the report of the atomic bomb, and thus in defining issues of Department, UCLA) hosted an evening talk by A. J. Freeman that appeared in the warfare, international relations, armament program at the Italian Institute of Culture. last Newsletter, noting Freeman’s comment policy, and nuclear energy that are still with The symposium was organized by Nina “that all materials properties originate in us. But Fermi’s life and work were also Byers, Massimo Ciavolella, Michael electronic structure. . .” Huff’s article in the embedded in social, cultural, and political Intriligator, Vincent Pecora, Claudio 1996 Encyclopedia of Applied Physics (VCH developments that shaped the world we have Pellegrini, Norton Wise (UCLA), and Guido Publishers, Inc.) compared the electrical, ther- inherited. Fink (Italian Cultural Institute, Los Angeles), mal, optical, and mechanical properties of The symposium included an introduc- under the auspices of the Consul General of diamond, silicon, germanium, and α −tin. He tion by Claudio Pellegrini and Vince Pecora Italy. It was sponsored by UCLA Center for points out that “These properties may (UCLA), Michelangelo De Maria (U of Modern and Contemporary Studies, UCLA generally be related to the metallicity param- Rome) on “The New Physics in Italy During Center for History of Physics, UCLA eter described by Walter Harrison: metallicity Fascism: Political, Institutional and Scientific Department of Physics and Astronomy, parameter = (s-p atomic spacing)/(covalent Aspects,” Giovanni Battimelli (U of Rome), UCLA Department of Italian, and the Italian band gap). Since (s-p) is rather constant for “Scientific Successes and Failed Ambitions: Institute of Culture, Los Angeles. Forum News

Forum Councillor term of office is four years, until December At the upcoming APS March Meeting in Indianapolis, the Forum on History of Gloria Lubkin, Physics Today (gbl2 2005. Physics is cosponsoring two symposia. @aip.org), was re elected as Forum Council- Forum Program at March and Session A6, “Tunneling, From Alpha lor in the election held last November. Her April APS Meetings

History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 3 Particle Decay to Biology,” will be held on Alamos From the Inside Out,” Francis must review those who are proposed, make Monday, March 18, at 8 am. Chaired by Hans Harlow (LANL), “Building Bridges from a recommendation, and complete the Frauenfelder, Los Alamos National Micro-Scale to Macro-Scale,” and Herb York nomination file before that time. Michael Laboratory, the following talks will be pre- (UCSD), title to be determined. Riordan is chair of the Forum’s Fellowship sented: “Tunneling in Superconductors,” Finally, FHP will cosponsor a “Eugene Committee for 2001-2002. Any Forum Ivar Giaever (Rensselaer Polytechnic Wigner Centennial” in cooperation with the members who wish to nominate a candidate Institute), “Tunneling in Biology,” Jose Division of Nuclear Physics, the Division of for Fellow in APS are invited to send him Onuchic (UCSD), “Tunneling - the Begin- Particles and Fields, and the Forum on their suggestion(s), along with a c.v. and ning,” Eugen Merzbacher (UNC Chapel International Physics. This symposium will letter describing the candidate’s achieve- Hill), and “Tunneling in Chemistry,” Nancy be held on Sunday, April 21, at 10:45 am and ments in history of physics. Send sugges- Makri (UIUC). chaired by Joseph Ginocchio (LANL). Talks tions to Dr. Michael Riordan, MS 80, SLAC “Synchrotron Radiation: From scheduled for this session are “Reforms of Director’s Office, Stanford, CA 94309; Stepchild to Star,” Session Q14, is the Research and Higher Education Base in [email protected]. scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, at 2:30 Hungary: Knowledge as a Resource in a pm. The speakers and topics will be “Mile- Competitive World” by József Pálinkás Forum Business and Executive stones in Research Using VUV/Soft X-ray (Ministry of Education, Hungary), “Wigner Committee Meetings Synchrotron Radiation,” Yves Petroff in Hungary” by George Marx (Eotvos The annual Forum Business Meeting will (Advanced Light Source, LBNL), “Mile- University, Budapest), “Eugene Wigner, The be held on Monday, April 22, at 12:15 pm at stones in materials research using hard X- First Nuclear Reactor Engineer” by Alvin M. the April APS meeting in Albuquerque. It will ray synchrotron radiation,” Martin Blume Weinberg (Oak Ridge), “Wigner’s Changing immediately follow the Forum-sponsored (APS and Brookhaven), “Milestones in View of the Elementary Quantum Phenom- contributed session. All Forum members and Biological Research using Hard X-ray enon” by John Archibald Wheeler other interested persons are invited to Synchrotron Radiation,” Stephen Harrison (Princeton and U of Texas at Austin), and attend. The Forum Executive Committee will (Harvard), and “Faster than Moore’s Law: “Eugene Wigner and symmetries in also meet at the April APS meeting on Sun- An Historical Review of Synchrotron Source physics” by Marcos Moshinsky (UNAM, day, April 21. This meeting is for members of Technology and Prospects for an X-ray Mexico). the Executive Committee and guests. Laser,” David Moncton (Argonne). At the April APS Meeting in Albuquer- “Interpreting Copenhagen” at Meeting of Representatives of que, the Forum is sponsoring a contributed April APS Meeting session and two symposia, and cosponsor- Science Society History Groups At the upcoming April APS meeting in ing a third symposium. The contributed Forum Chair Ben Bederson and Stephen Albuquerque, there will be an invited paper session will be held on Monday, April 22, Brush represented FHP at a meeting of session on the subject “Interpreting 10:45 am, chaired by Ben Bederson (New York representatives of ten history groups Copenhagen.” It will take place on Saturday, University). associated with physical science societies April 20 at 2:30 pm. It deals with the physics An invited session on “From EPR to on November 16, 2001. The meeting was and the history of the 1941 meeting between Entanglement” will be held on Saturday, organized by Spencer Weart and his Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg , as April 20, 10:45 am, chaired by Elizabeth Paris colleagues and held at the Center for portrayed in the highly acclaimed, but (Harvard). Speakers and topics will be Arthur History of Physics. The societies controversial play Copenhagen by Michael Fine (U. of Washington), “EPR: Some represented were: American Association of Frayn. The session will be chaired by History and Clarification,” Martin Jones Physicists in Medicine, American Associa- Andrew M. Sessler (Lawrence Berkeley (Oberlin), “Interpretations of Entanglement,” tion of Physics Teachers, American Laboratory) and will feature talks by Roger Alain Aspect (University of Paris South), Astronomical Society, American Crystallo- H. Stuewer (U of Minnesota), “An Act of “Experimental tests of Bell’s inequalities: the graphic Association, American Geophysical Scientific Creativity: Meitner, Frisch and Orsay’s 1982 experiments,” Anton Zeilinger Union, American Meteorological Society, Nuclear Fission,” David C. Cassidy (University of Vienna), “Quantum Entangle- American Physical Society, Acoustical (Hofstra), “New Light on Copenhagen and ment and Information,” and Guido Society of America, American Vacuum the German Nuclear Project,” David Pines Bacciagaluppi (UC Berkeley), commentary. Society, and American Institute of Physics. (LANL) and Suzy Pines (Tesuque, NM), A second symposium, “History of Los Nearly all the groups have online activities “Niels and Margrethe Bohr – Some Favorite Alamos,” will be held on Sunday, April 21, that can be accessed through the society Memories: A Dialogue,” and Harry Lustig 2:30 pm, and chaired by Damon Giovanielli home pages. (CCNY), “Science as Theater; Theater as (LANL). Scheduled speakers are John C. Numerous ideas for strengthening the Science.” Browne (LANL), “Post-Cold War Science work of FHP came out of the discussions and Technology at Los Alamos,” Val L. Fitch and will be considered by the FHP Executive APS Fellow Nominations (Princeton), “The Role of the Special Committee. Engineering Detachment at Los Alamos Fellow nominations are due by March during WWII,” Richard Garwin (IBM), “Los 31, and the Forum Fellowship Committee

4 History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 Request for Information about Evenson, Editor of the History of Physics Bill Evenson: Department of Physics, Memorial Sessions for Newsletter, and Spencer Weart, Director of Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602- Prominent Physicists the AIP Center for History of Physics, at the 4645; [email protected]. addresses below. We want to be able to Spencer Weart: Center for History of When readers of this Newsletter hear of notify others in the history of physics Physics, American Institute of Physics, One memorial sessions being planned to honor community and gather records of the Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740; prominent physicists, please notify Bill physicist’s life as appropriate. [email protected]. APS and AIP News

Processing Grants for accordingly be given to medium size or larger to tape record oral history interviews with a Physics, projects for which the grant will be matched copy deposited in the Library. Applicants Astronomy, and Geophysics by the parent organization or other sources. should name the persons they would Collections For grant guidelines check the Center’s Web interview or papers they would microfilm, or site at www.aip.org/history/grntgde.htm or the collections at the Library they need to The Center for History of Physics, call 301 209-3165. Sample proposals are see; you can consult the online catalog at American Institute of Physics, announces available on request, and a list of previous our website, www.aip.org/history, and please its 2002 Grants to Archives program. The recipients is on the Web site. Deadline for feel free to make inquiries about the Library’s deadline for applications is July 1. The grants receipt of applications is July 1, 2002. holdings. are intended to make accessible records, Applicants should either be working papers, and other primary sources which Grants in Aid for History of toward a graduate degree in the history of document the history of modern physics and Modern Physics and Allied science (in which case they should include allied fields (such as astronomy, Fields (Astronomy, a letter of reference from their thesis adviser), geophysics, and optics). Grants may be up Geophysics, etc.) or show a record of publication in the field. to $10,000 each and can be used to cover To apply, send a vitae, a letter of no more direct expenses connected with preserving, The AIP Center for History of Physics than two pages describing your research inventorying, arranging, describing, or has a program of grants in aid for research in project, and a brief budget showing the cataloging appropriate collections. Expenses the history of modern physics and allied expenses for which support is requested to: may include staff salaries/benefits and sciences (such as astronomy, geophysics, Spencer Weart, Center for History of archival storage materials but not overhead and optics) and their social interactions. Physics, American Institute of Physics, One or equipment. Grants can be up to $2,500 each. They can Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740; The AIP History Center’s mission is to be used only to reimburse direct expenses phone: 301 209-3174, fax: 301 209-0882 e mail: help preserve and make known the history connected with the work. Preference will be [email protected]. Deadlines for receipt of of modern physics and allied fields, and the given to those who need funds for travel applications are June 30 and December 31 of grant program is intended to help support and subsistence to use the resources of the each year. significant work to make original sources Center’s Niels Bohr Library (near accessible to researchers. Preference will Washington, DC), or to microfilm papers or Notes and Announcements

Quarks Unbound: the new new physics, become available to society at large.” tion of science in society at large. The DPF a brochure surveying the aspirations and Copies will be sent to DPF members, APS Executive Committee is especially interested achievements of particle physics, was officers and Council members, officers of in working with FHP members and officers produced recently by the APS Division of other APS units, and physics department to consider historical education and out- Particles and Fields. This attractive brochure chairs, as well as to people in government reach materials that might further this cause. presents the main themes of the field of and the media. DPF is also trying to get a particle physics in the context of scientists’ copy of this brochure to every high school Stephen G. Brush, Distinguished “curiosity about the world and the capacity teacher. A Quarks Unbound website University Professor at the University of of science to fascinate as we see our world (www.aps.org/dpf/quarks_unbound.html) Maryland, was awarded the Joseph Hazen anew, in ways we barely imagined. It evokes will contain a digital version and a rich Education Prize of the History of Science what Casimir called the science technology library of supporting information. Society at the Society’s annual meeting in spiral through examples that show particle DPF invites FHP members to make use November. The Prize is awarded each year physics as both beneficiary and creator of of this brochure and then to participate with “in recognition of outstanding contributions new technologies that, when domesticated, them in helping to promote greater apprecia- to the teaching of history of science,”

History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 5 including influential writing or preparation meeting in Boston on 15 February 2002 on information on the NFFP program and to of pedagogical materials as well as classroom “Russian Basic Science: Changes since the submit an application, please visit the teaching. The citation for the award of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the impact website www.asee.org/NFFP/default.cfm or Prize to Professor Brush mentioned the of international support.” contact Dr. Richard Bannerot at the recent publication of a historically-oriented The Max Planck Institute for the University of Houston, email [email protected]. textbook, Physics, The Human Adventure: History of Science in Berlin announces two NASA Johnson Space Center Oral From Copernicus to Einstein and Beyond, postdoctoral fellowships for up to two years, History Project Summer Intern Program: co-authored with Professor Gerald Holton beginning 1 October 2002. Application The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center of Harvard, and other projects to enable deadline is 28 February 2002. Contact Max announces its 2002 Oral History Project teachers to use the history of science in their Planck Institute for the History of Science, Summer Intern Program. Established by courses. It notes that he also supported Abt. III, Wilhelmstrasse 44, D-10117 Berlin, Center Director in 1996, the Johnson Space science education by publicly challenging Germany. Center (JSC) Oral History Project’s primary efforts to force public schools to teach Smithsonian Institution Libraries 2003 goal is to research and interview individuals creationism or abandon the teaching of Resident Scholar Programs in Special who enabled the exciting and challenging evolution. Brush has been on the faculty at Collections: Dibner Library Resident space programs of yesterday and today. This University of Maryland College Park since Scholar Program and Baird Society program provides temporary summer work 1968, with a joint appointment in the Depart- Resident Scholar Program are accepting only and is limited to undergraduate and ment of History and the Institute for applications until 1 March 2002. For infor- graduate students. Application deadline is Physical Science and Technology. He has mation go to www.sil.si.edu or email libmail Feb. 28, 2002. For Additional History served as President of the History of @sil.si.edu. Program information contact: Bill Larsen, 281 Science Society, and also won the Society’s Annals of Science Prize is offered each 483-4062 or Glen Swanson, 281 483-6924. Pfizer Award for “the best book on history year to the author of an unpublished essay Kennedy Space Center Summer Faculty of science published in 1976.” in the history of science or technology, which Fellowship in History: The NASA Kennedy Donald E. Osterbrock (Director Emeri- is not under consideration for publication Space Center seeks qualified history appli- tus of the Lick Observatory) has been named elsewhere. The prize, supported by Taylor cants for the NASA Faculty Fellowship 2002 LeRoy Doggett Lecturer by the and Francis, is intended for those who have Program. Research will be conducted on the Historical Astronomy Division of the been awarded their doctorate within the past history of Kennedy Space Center with a American Astronomical Society. four years, and for doctoral students. particular focus on 1976 to the present. Daniel J. Kevles (Yale) has been Essays should be submitted to the Editor in Desired specialized capabilities include: PhD awarded the Sarton Medal, the highest award a form suitable for publication in Annals of in History or related field; published record, of the History of Science Society. Science (style guide at www.tandf.co.uk), preferably a book, in a peer reviewed John Heilbron (Oxford) has been and may be in English, French, or German. historical periodical, evidencing serious awarded the Pfizer Prize by the History of Essays should be between 6,000 and 9,500 historical research and writing; and, Science Society for his book, The Sun in the words in length, including footnotes. The familiarity with the aerospace field and the Church: Cathedrals as Solar Observatories winning essay will be published in the State of Florida. For additional information, (Harvard University Press). journal, and its author will be awarded $500. please contact: Dr. C. Shannon Roberts, Mary Henninger Voss (Princeton) Papers should be submitted by 1 September Associate Director for External Relations and received the Derek Price Award from the 2002, and the winner will be notified by 31 Business Development (XA), Kennedy History of Science Society for her Isis December 2002. The Editor’s decision is Space Center, NASA, Kennedy Space article, “Working machines and noble final. Center, Florida 32899; 321-867-0867; mechanics: Guidobaldo del Monte and the NASA Johnson Space Center Summer [email protected]. translation of knowledge.” Faculty Fellowship Program: The NASA The November 2001 issue of Concepts A scholar funded through an NEH grant Johnson Space Center history office is seek- in Magnetic Resonance is a topical issue to the International Research and Exchanges ing qualified applicants in history to apply devoted to “The History of NMR Well Board to support study of Eastern Europe for a 10-week summer faculty fellowship Logging.” Most of the research in the and the former Soviet Union has been offered through the NASA Faculty Fellow- history is in the field of physics and many honored by Russia’s St. Petersburg State ship Program. The successful applicant will members may be interested in the history, University. Nathan Brooks, a New Mexico work closely with the JSC history office to even if not particularly interested in the State University history professor, received conduct research and write a finished mono- petroleum industry. the university’s first honorary doctorate in graph on a selected topic in the history of Authors wanted for new series: ABC the history of science. Brooks spent two human spaceflight. Requirements for the CLIO Handbooks in Science and Society, weeks in Russia last summer to attend an fellowship include U.S. citizenship and Mark A. Largent, Editor. Consulting Editors: international conference at which he employment as a faculty member (adjunct or Sally Gregory Kohlstedt and Paul Lawrence presented a paper on Dmitry Mendeleyev full time) with an accredited U.S. college or Farber. This new series by ABC CLIO (1834-1907), developer of the periodic table university. Stipends are $1,200 per week plus Publishers is designed to help students and of elements. Mendeleyev was a professor of a travel allowance. In addition, a relocation teachers integrate the history of science into chemistry at St. Petersburg State University. allowance will be provided for those fellows the general history curriculum. It will Loren Graham (MIT) will give the who must relocate their residence. Applica- provide readable and historically sophisti- George Sarton Award Lecture at the AAAS tion deadline is February 15. For further cated narrative accounts of science and its

6 History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 social influences, primary source materials, Institute of Physics, One Physics Ellipse, Harvard and MIT. Oersted was an important biographical entries, glossaries, and College Park, MD 20740, [email protected] and and fascinating figure in 19th-century bibliographic essays. They are now solicit- Roger H. Stuewer, Tate Laboratory of science and philosophy. Yet, until recently ing proposals for individual volumes in the Physics, University of Minnesota, 116 his place in history, that of his circle, and the series. Four volumes are currently under Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, intellectual origins, have been studied by contract: Science and Race, Science and [email protected]). only a few scholars. The Symposium is open the Environment, Science and Gender, National Endowment for the Humanities and free to interested scholars and students, Science and Exploration. Subjects sought Programs: NEH OUTLOOK, an email news- and might help stimulate further scholarly include Science and Religion; Scientific letter of the National Endowment for the work. The full program, involving about 30 Communication and Rhetoric; Science and Humanities (www.neh.gov) can be obtained scientists, historians and philosophers, is Industry; Science and International by sending an email to [email protected]; available from History of Science Depart- Relations; Science, Imperialism, and type the word “subscribe” in the body of the ment, Harvard University, Science Center, Colonialism. Contact the series editor for message. NEH offers summer programs for Cambridge, MA 02138. details about proposal requirements and professors and school teachers and supports Planned sessions and presenters include financial compensation: Mark Largent, Chautauquas around the country in addition Session 1: Kant, with John Murdoch University of Puget Sound, mlargent to summer stipends for research and other (Harvard), Paul Guyer (U of Pennsylvania), @ups.edu. programs. Michael Friedman (Indiana U), and Keld Physics in Perspective. Most journals NASA History: News and Notes is Nielsen (Danmarks Museum, Denmark). are targeted to a small group of scholars. published quarterly by the NASA History Session 2: The Danish Context, with Ole That is not the case for the journal Physics Division, Office of Policy and Plans, Code Knudsen (U of Aarhus), Karen Jelved in Perspective, which has now been ZH, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC (Copenhagen), Anja Skaar Jacobsen (U of published since early 1999 for a wide 20546. You can receive NASA History: News Aarhus), Dan Ch. Christensen (Kvanløse audience of historians, philosophers, and Notes via email. To subscribe, send a Havremark, Denmark), Keld Nielsen physicists, and the interested public. The message to [email protected]. Leave the (Danmarks Museum, Denmark), Andrew editors believe that scholarly papers writ- subject line blank. In the text portion simply Wilson (Keene State College). Session 3: ten by historians of physics, philosophers type “subscribe history” without the quota- Links to German Science/Philosophy , with of physics, and physicists themselves can tion marks. You will receive confirmation that Gerald Holton (Harvard), Lorraine Daston be an effective means for bringing the ideas, your account has been added to the list for (Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschafts- the substance, and the methods of physics the newsletter and to receive other geschichte, Berlin), Robert Brain (Harvard), to non-specialists, provided jargon is announcements that may interest you. The Diedrich von Engelhardt (Medizinische avoided and care is taken in the writing. latest issue of this newsletter is also Universität zu Lübeck), Ernst Hamm (York Physics in Perspective is published available on the web at www.hq.nasa.gov/ U), Frederick Beiser (Syracuse U), and quarterly. Besides articles and book reviews, office/pao/History/nltrc.html. Robert Richards (U of Chicago). Viewing the journal has two regular features: first, Aide for history of electromagnetism: Equipment at Historical Instrument “The Physical Tourist,” identifies sites for Demystifying Electromagnetic Equations: Collection: Sara Schechner (Harvard). the traveler whose interests include artifacts A Complete Explanation of EM Unit Session 4: Spirituality/Religion, with Stuart from the history of physics, laboratories with Systems and Equation Transformations Strickland (Munich), Frederick Gregory (U historical significance, birthplaces of well (SPIE Press) by Douglas Cohen shows how of Florida), Dan Ch. Christensen (Kvanløse known physicists, and the like; second, “In and why electromagnetic equations change Havremark, Denmark), Andrew D. Wilson Appreciation” is written about a physicist form when written in different units. Some of (Keene State College), David Knight (U of by a student, first-hand acquaintance, or the units discussed, such as cgs esu units, Durham, UK). Session 5: Links to France, colleague. Physics in Perspective is avail- cgs emu units, the 19th century “practical” with Olivier Darrigol (Paris), Christine Blondel able to members of the American Physical units, and the unrationalized mks units, are (Paris), Michael Dettelbach (Boston U). Society at the special subscription rate of nowadays only of interest to science histori- Session 6: Links to England, with Robert $35 per year plus $10 shipping and handling. ans, and it is not easy to find good, detailed Brain (Harvard), Trevor Levere (U of Additional information can be found at the descriptions of these unit systems elsewhere. Toronto), Gordon McOuat (Dibner Institute, Birkhäuser Verlag website, www. MIT), David M. Knight (U of Durham, UK). birkhauser.ch/journals/1600/1600_tit.htm. Conferences Session 7: Instruments and Experiments, First-hand accounts of participants in with Erwin Hiebert (Harvard), Olaf Breidbach Midwest Junto for the History of interesting and important research projects (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena), Ken- Science, April 5-7, 2002, at Iowa State – experimental, theoretical, or computational neth L. Caneva (U of North Carolina), Ole University. Contact Amy Bix, History Depart- – often become documents of historical Knudsen (U of Aarhus), Roberto de Andrade ment, 633 Ross Hall, Iowa State University, import. The editors of Physics in Perspec- Martins (Campinas), Heinz-Otto Sibum (Max- Ames, IA 50011, tel. 515 294-0122, fax 515 294- tive welcome such first-hand accounts and Planck-Institut für Wissenschafts- 6390, [email protected]. hereby extend an invitation to physicists, geschichte, Berlin), Maria Trumpler International Symposium on H.C. and particularly to members of the Forum (Harvard). Oersted and the Romantic Legacy, May 10 on History of Physics, to submit manuscripts Oersted Symposium Organizing Commit- and 11, 2002, at the History of Science for publication. (John S. Rigden, American tee: Gerald Holton (Chair), Robert Brain, Allan Department, Harvard, cosponsored by

History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 7 M. Brandt, Erwin N. Hiebert, Ole Knudsen, sections. Contributed papers relevant to inventor, he was second to none. He also John E. Murdoch. Co-sponsorship: History Popper’s work will be invited in all sections played a major role in the rebuilding of of Science Department, Harvard University, (though papers tackling problems appropri- London after the Great Fire, while his diaries and Program in Science, Technology and ate to more than one section will be wel- give a revealing picture of his lifestyle and Society, Massachusetts Institute of come). Potential contributors are asked to milieu in the Restoration metropolis. Technology. bear in mind that a period of 30 minutes will This major international conference, Faces of anti-Newtonianism, 1672-1832, be allotted to each contributed paper, includ- organised under the auspices of Gresham will be held 24-25 May 2002 at Center for ing discussion. The deadline for the College, London, will give attention to all History and Philosophy of Science, Depart- submission of abstracts will be early in 2002. aspects of Hooke’s life and work. It will ment of Philosophy, University of Paris-X All abstracts will be refereed. Letters of include an evening reception and a dinner. (Nanterre), France. Organizers: Philippe acceptance will be mailed not later than 1 Optional guided tours are being arranged for Hamou ([email protected]) or Neil April 2002. The Congress languages are the 9th July to visit some examples of Ribe ([email protected]). English and German. For more information, Hooke’s architectural work - St Mary The Canadian Society for the History please contact Gerhard Budin at the Univer- Magdalene Church, Willen, Buckingham- and Philosophy of Science (CSHPS) is hold- sity of Vienna, Department for Philosophy shire and Ragley Hall, Alcester, ing its annual conference at the University of Science, Sensengasse 8/10, A-1090 Warwickshire. of Toronto, 26-28 May 2002. Information Vienna; fax: +43-1-4277-9476; preferably by Call For Papers: Most of the programme about Congress registration and accommo- e-mail: [email protected]. of papers is now complete, but we still have dation can be found at www.er.uqam.ca/ The Congress website situated at room for one or two more. Anyone who is nobel/r20430/schps_toronto_2002. www.univie.ac.at/karlpopper2002 will be kept actively engaged in research on Hooke is Canadian Society for History and Philo- up to date. invited to offer a paper to the organisers, sophy of Science: www.ukings.ns.ca/cshps. On 7-10 November 2002 the History of Professor Michael Cooper (m.a.r.cooper HOPOS 2002, the Fourth Congress of Science Society will hold its annual meeting @city.ac.uk) and Professor Michael Hunter the International Working Group in History in Milwaukee, WI. Contact: History of ([email protected]). Please of Philosophy of Science, will be held in Science Society Executive Office, University enclose a proposed title and synopsis. Montreal, June 21-23, 2002. The congress is of Washington, Box 351330, Seattle WA Papers should be about twenty minutes in being held in cooperation with Concordia 98195-1330, 206 543-9366; depts.washington. length. University, McGill University, the Université edu/hssexec; [email protected]. Registration: Those who would like to de Montréal, and the Université du Québec A Robert Hooke Tercentenary attend and/or wish to be kept informed of à Montréal. Inquiries: Alan Richardson, Conference will be held at The Royal plans as they develop should send their Co-Chair, HOPOS 2002 Program Committee, Society, London, 7-9 July, 2003. Keynote details to the administrator, Mrs Julie Jones Department of Philosophy, 1866 Main Mall - speakers are Michael Nauenberg (UC Santa ([email protected]) or telephone E370, University of British Columbia, Cruz) on Hooke’s Dynamics, Jim Bennett her (01235 762744). Information and regis- Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada. (Museum of the History of Science, Oxford) tration details can also be obtained from the Karl Popper 2002 Centenary Congress, on Hooke’s Scientific Instrumentation, Gresham College website at www.gresham. 3-7 July 2002, Vienna. The work of the Mordechai Feingold (Virginia Polytechnic ac.uk/hooke. Congress will be arranged in seven sections: Institute) on Hooke’s Social Role and 1. Philosophy of the physical sciences, Relations with The Royal Society, Jacques Web Resources 2. Philosophy of the biological sciences, Heyman (University of Cambridge) on 3. Philosophy of the social sciences, 4. Moral Hooke’s Structures and Buildings. AAAS History and Archives & political philosophy, 5. Logic & scientific Robert Hooke (1635-1703) was a true Website method, 6. Epistemology & metaphysics, polymath. Author of the influential The American Association for the 7. Life & times of Karl Popper. Invited Micrographia (1665), he was one of the lead- Advancement of Science has launched a new lectures and symposia are planned for all ing natural philosophers of his day. As an AAAS History and Archives website at archives.aaas.org. Forum Elections

Please vote for Vice Chair and two received one, please email your request, candidates begin on this page. The Members at Large of the Executive Commit- including your mailing address, to candidates on the ballot are tee. If you have email registered with APS, [email protected] or contact Kenneth you will have received a message inviting W. Ford, 729 W. Westview Street, Philadel- Vice Chair: you to vote electronically, as authorized by phia, PA 19119-3533, 215 844-8054. The Nina Byers the FHP Executive Committee. If not, you closing date of the election is March 18 – David L. Goodstein should have received a paper ballot by mail. ballots must be received by that date to be If you want a paper ballot but have not yet valid. Brief resumes and statements from the

8 History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 Executive Committee: Statement: The Forum on History of has been broadcast on hundreds of public Physics plays an important role in humaniz- broadcasting stations and has garnered William A. Blanpied ing our science, and as such is a uniquely more than a dozen prestigious awards, Per Dahl vital unit of APS. Its symposia and publica- including the 1987 Japan Prize for television. Mariet Hofstee tions illuminate the process of intellectual Goodstein has been awarded the 1999 Daniel Siegel development and creativity that is progress Oersted Medal of the American Association in physics, often showing this process in of Physics Teachers, and the 2000 John P. Nominees for Vice Chair the context of the society in which it McGovern Medal of the Sigma Xi Society. Nina Byers lived through historic times develops. The dissemination of this infor- In recent times, Goodstein has become in physics. She was an undergraduate at UC mation attests to the human face of physics interested in some of the larger issues that Berkeley 1946-1950 and a graduate student – of physicists as men and women found in affect science as a profession. In a series of at U. of Chicago 1951-1956; as such she many different times and places around the articles, colloquia and speeches, he has witnessed the birth of particle physics, the world. As a famous historian once said, stressed and analyzed the profound changes year of the oath in Berkeley, and Robert M. “reality does not survive description.” There- in science that became inevitable in the last Hutchins’ defense of academic freedom fore in constructing our collective memory, I few decades when its long period of during the McCarthy times in Chicago. Both believe we cannot overestimate the value of exponential expansion came to an end. He as an undergraduate and graduate student, the venue the Forum provides for physicists, has also turned his attention to issues she was privileged to learn physics from Luis historians, and other members of the APS to related to conduct and misconduct in Alvarez, Gian Carlo Wick, Enrico Fermi, and discuss and explore the historical dimen- science. Prompted by the need to compose many other distinguished teachers. As sions of physics research. I feel honored to a set of regulations governing possible postdoc and young faculty, she continued be nominated to be an officer of the Forum misconduct at Caltech, he has developed an to learn physics from great physicists - R. E. and, if elected, would be very happy to do academic sub-specialty in this area, writing Peierls in Birmingham, England and Oxford, what I can to support and further its work. and speaking about it in a variety of forums. Felix Bloch and C. N. Yang in Stanford, and David L. Goodstein is vice provost and Together with his colleague, Professor of Richard Feynman when she returned to professor of physics and applied physics at Philosophy James Woodward, he has UCLA. Since 1961 she has been a professor the California Institute of Technology, where developed a course, Research Ethics, which of physics at UCLA, with sabbatical and he has been on the faculty for more than 30 has been taught each year at Caltech since other leaves taken at CERN, The Institute years. In 1995 he was named the Frank J. the early 1990’s. for Advanced Studies in Princeton, and a Gilloon Distinguished Teaching and Service Born in Brooklyn, NY, Goodstein joint appointment with Oxford University Professor. His book, States of Matter, attended Brooklyn College and received his 1967-1972. Her research has mainly been in published in 1975 by Prentice Hall and Ph.D. in physics from the University of particle physics theory with a brief foray into reissued by Dover Press in 1985, was hailed Washington. He lives in Pasadena with his superconductivity. by Physics Today as the book that launched wife, Dr. Judith R. Goodstein, who is a In 1995 she began serious studies of the a new discipline, Condensed Matter faculty associate in history at Caltech, where history of 20th century physics. In 1997, a Physics. His research, in experimental she serves as archivist and registrar. The Center for History of Physics was estab- condensed matter physics, has dealt with Goodsteins have two grown children, two lished with co-director Claudio Pellegrini. His phases and phase transitions in adsorbed, grandchildren, and have recently coauthored focus is on earlier centuries. The Center has two-dimensional matter, ballistic phonons in a best-selling book, Feynman’s Lost Lecture. sponsored many colloquia and symposia at solids, superfluidity in liquid helium, and Statement: I come to the history of UCLA. Byers historical research has mainly critical point phenomena. This work has led science not as a contributor, but rather as a focused on two subjects. One is Leo Szilard to nearly 200 scientific publications. He is user. That is to say, I make or have made and Enrico Fermi: the sharply contrasting currently working on a future flight experi- extensive use of the history of science in my lives, temperaments and philosophies of ment that will examine the dynamics of the teaching of physics at Caltech, in the educa- these two great physicists. This study led superfluid phase transition in the absence tional television series The Mechanical to intensive examination of the roles of gravity. Universe, in a technical book (States of scientists played in the 1945 decision to use Goodstein has served on numerous Matter) and a popular one (Feynman’s Lost atomic bombs in the war against Japan. She scientific and academic panels, including the Lecture, written with my wife, who is a real has spoken and written about these topics National Advisory Committee to the Math- historian of science), and in many articles I in recent years. The other focus of Byers’ ematical and Physical Sciences Directorate have written. I think promoting this kind of historical research has been on the contri- of the National Science Foundation. He is a activity is an important function of the butions of 20th century women to physics. founding member of the Board of Directors Forum, and I would welcome the Results are presented in a website – of the California Council on Science and opportunity to help do so. www.physics.ucla.edu/~cwp. This is a site Technology. He was the host and project with data on the scientific lives and major director of The Mechanical Universe, a 52- Nominees for Members at Large achievements of 86 women who have made part college physics telecourse based on his of the Executive Committee original and important contributions to popular lectures at Caltech. The project, physics. Arising out of this study is a book which has been adapted for high school use William A. Blanpied received his PhD Out of the Shadows; contributions of 20th and translated into many other languages, in experimental nuclear physics from century women to physics.

History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 9 Princeton University in 1959. He is currently on History of Physics, I would attempt to history of physics, and his contributions to nearing the end of a three-year appointment help sustain and expand the efforts of former the design and development of supercon- as Director of NSF’s Tokyo Regional Office. and current APS/FHP officers in emphasiz- ducting accelerator magnets.” Retired at He joined NSF in 1976 as Program Manager ing (through special sessions at national and LBNL, he is currently a visiting scholar at for Ethics and Human Values in Science and regional APS meetings, for example) the LBNL and the Office for History of Science Technology, and was subsequently Head of importance of history as a means for both and Technology at UC Berkeley, a Docent at the Office of Special Projects in the Office of researchers and students at all levels the Lawrence Hall of Science, and continu- the Director before joining the Division of (including or, perhaps, more particularly ing his historical researches in the U.S. and International Programs in 1983. Prior to his those who do not plan to pursue physics as abroad. His books include: Ludvig Colding service with NSF, he held faculty appoint- a career) to understand where we have been and the Conservation of Energy Principle: ments in the physics departments at Case and where we think we may be going. Such Experimental and Philosophical Contribu- Western Reserve, Yale, and Harvard an emphasis must focus even more strongly tions (1972); Superconductivity: Its Histori- Universities, where his research interests on the interactions of physics and society. cal Roots and development from Mercury were in experimental particle physics. While After several centuries of inquiry, we under- to the Ceramic Oxides (1992); Flash of the at Harvard, he co-founded (with Gerald stand the physical universe in detail that Cathode Rays: A History of JJ Thomson’s Holton) and served as first editor of a would not even have been imagined by Electron (1997); Heavy Water and the War- newsletter which subsequently evolved into Newton and “those giants” on whose shoul- time Race for Nuclear Energy (1999). The the quarterly journal, Science, Technology ders he claimed to have stood. But do we latter two volumes appeared on the Out- and Human Values. He left Harvard in 1974 really understand (or appreciate) the standing Academic Books Lists put out by to become Head of the Division of Public complex interactions between science and Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Sector Programs at the American Associa- society better than Newton, assuming, of Libraries. tion for the Advancement of Science course, that he ever thought about that Statement: As a member of the (AAAS), where he was among those respon- matter? The continuing importance of physi- Executive Committee of the APS Forum for sible for instituting the annual AAAS cists in government, even at a time when the History of Physics, I would continue to budget analysis and the series of annual decreasing numbers of students elect to expand communication between the meetings which evolved into the AAAS devote their careers to our discipline, is cer- physics and history of physics communi- Science and Technology Policy Colloquia. tainly worth exploring. It is surely signifi- ties, students in both areas, and the public Blanpied first became interested in the cant, for example, that with two or possibly in general. In particular, being associated history of physics during his under- three exceptions, all presidential science with the Office of History of Science and graduate years at Yale, and began to pursue advisors have been trained as physicists. Technology and the active community in it seriously when he joined Gerald Holton at Those within the APS who enjoy pursuing Berkeley, and at this stage free to devote my Harvard in the early 1970s. Since that time history and understand its value need to use full time to historical matters, I am in an he has written extensively on the develop- the tools at our disposal to inquire more excellent position to interact with students ment of science policy in the post-World War deeply into the relatively recent history of and faculty alike, and with physicists and II period – primarily in the United States, but the past half century during which physics historians of science in meetings, workshops, also in Asia. He has also presented invited has been in the vanguard of the emergence and archival institutions in this country and lectures on the evolution of science policy of American science to undisputed world abroad. I am an active participant in activi- in several countries, including India, leadership. We also need to pay more atten- ties of the APS and the History of Science Hungary, Japan, Mexico and the People’s tion to the roles of physics communities Society, involved in various speaking Republic of China. outside the United States and Europe in the circuits, and in regular contact with mem- During the early 1990s, Blanpied served history and probable future of physics. If bers of the history of science community. concurrently as Chair of the APS’s ad-hoc the early years of the 21st Century are truly Mariet Hofstee received her Masters (in Task Force on the Crisis of Physics in the the era of globalization, then physics, as 1986) and PhD (1992, nuclear physics) from Former Soviet Union, and its Forum on perhaps the most international of the the University of Groningen in the Nether- International Physics. From 1996 to 1998, he sciences, will surely help lead the way. So lands. Through a serendipitous visit to the was a member of the FHP Executive Commit- will our Asian colleagues. We should listen island Hven, where Tycho Brahe had tee and editor of the FHP Newsletter. He took to what they have to say. pursued his astronomical observations, she a leave of absence from NSF from 1987 to Per Dahl received his Ph.D. in nuclear became interested in the history of 1989 as Scholar in Residence at the physics at Wisconsin in 1960 (under R. G. astronomy and physics. During her under- Graduate School of International Relations Herb). His career was spent, primarily, at graduate and graduate career she gave guest at the University of California, San Diego, Brookhaven and Lawrence Berkeley National lectures and wrote articles for the Dutch and was an Adjunct Professor at George Laboratories, in high energy physics and the youth astronomy club on historical topics Mason University’s International Institute history of modern physics – in the latter and visited historical sites throughout from 1991 to 1996. He has been elected a connection involved in numerous archival Europe. After receiving her PhD, she moved Fellow of both the American Physical investigations in the U.S., Norway, England, to the USA to pursue a professional career Society and the American Association for and on the Continent. He was elected in nuclear astrophysics. Currently she is an the Advancement of Science. Fellow of the American Physical Society “for assistant professor at the Colorado School Statement: If elected to membership on his pioneering research in the history of of Mines, where she teaches courses in the Executive Committee of the APS Forum superconductivity and other areas of the Modern Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics

10 History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 and the History of Physics. tory). He then retreaded as an historian of University of Wisconsin, in which the Statement: I believe that knowledge and science with Martin Klein at Yale, receiving history of science plays a central role in appreciation for the history of physics can an M. Phil. in 1970. Since then, he has been making science accessible to nonscientists. help all students of physics better to under- at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in He is a Fellow of the American Physical stand where we are coming from, and where the Department of the History of Science, Society. we are going. Often my students, who are where he is now Professor Emeritus. His Statement: In addition to the ongoing predominantly nonmajors, show a better research in the history of physics has and very valuable activities of the Forum on retention of Modern Physics if it has been centered on the 19th and 20th centuries, History of Physics and the Center for placed in its historical context. Having been resulting in publications, for example, History of Physics in bringing the history of educated in Europe, where many dealing with Joule and the energy law, physics to physicists and to the public, I universities are older than the USA, this Kirchhoff and the radiation law, Einstein and would like to see us work toward greater historical perspective is a natural part of my the concept of mass, and, especially, involvement of the history of physics in the perception of physics. Although I have not Maxwell and electromagnetic theory. His teaching of physics. Physics education is in had the opportunity to contribute to book on Innovation in Maxwell’s Electro- difficulty – we are being successful neither professional publications in the field of the magnetic Theory: Molecular Vortices, Dis- in attracting a sufficient number of majors history of physics, I do feel that I can make a placement Current, and Light (Cambridge nor in inspiring those who take the courses valuable contribution to this forum. As an University Press, 1991) addresses in depth for nonmajors. Science popularizers have officer I would like to work towards interest- the question of the role of mechanical discovered the power of narrative in making ing a broader and younger audience in the models in Maxwell’s thought. His article on science accessible and palatable to a broad history of physics. I believe this can be “Balfour Stewart and Gustav Robert audience, employing both historical and achieved by working together with groups Kirchhoff: Two Independent Approaches to personal narratives. Physics education also such as the AAPT (American Association ‘Kirchhoff’s Radiation Law’” was awarded could benefit greatly from the incorporation of Physics Teachers) and the SPS (Society the Henry Schuman Prize of the History of of more historical narrative into physics of Physics Students). The world wide web Science Society; he subsequently served on teaching. (In doing this, one of course wants provides an excellent way to communicate and chaired the Schuman Prize Committee. to get beyond the use of historical anecdotes with such an audience. As the webmaster of His historiographical approach, which to spice up lectures, instead making use of the CSM physics department, as well as by emphasizes attention to the details of serious history of physics to illuminate the using this technology in the classroom, I scientific discourse rather than superficial scientific process and provide avenues have gained experience which will help me breadth, is set forth in “Text and Context in toward the understanding of physics use this modern tool for spreading informa- Maxwell’s Electromagnetic Theory,” in No concepts.) At recent conferences of the tion about the history of physics. Finally, I Truth Except in the Details: Essays in Honor International History, Philosophy, and see an increased role for FHP in education. of Martin J. Klein, ed. A. J. Kox and D. Siegel Science Teaching Group, these matters have While high school students are not likely to (Kluwer, 1995). His current work is on an been discussed, by Gerald Holton in do a physics project for fun, they might do a edition – with a new translation, as well as connection with Project Physics, and by history of physics project and thus get introduction, explanatory notes, and post- myself in connection with Integrated Liberal exposed to physics and physics role script – of Einstein’s Relativity: The Studies. The time is now ripe for the Forum models. Special and the General Theory. In his on History of Physics to participate more Daniel Siegel received his PhD in teaching, in addition to teaching a broad fully in this enterprise, and I will work physics from the University of California- range of history of science and history of toward that end as a member of the Berkeley in 1968, where his research was in physics courses, he was a founding member Executive Committee. experimental high energy physics, in the and subsequently chair of the revived Alvarez Group (Lawrence Berkeley Labora- Integrated Liberal Studies program at the Book Review

John V. Pickstone, Ways of Knowing: A Knowing” of his title do not, as such words cantly from a half-century ago. He suggests new history of science, technology, and often suggest, deal with the psychological/ some mid-course corrections. medicine, University of Chicago Press, philosophical ‘ways of knowing’ (empiricism, Pickstone’s approach is to identify three 2001). xii+272 pp. ISBN: 0 226 66794 4 $55 intuition, rationalism, etc.) but rather with the ‘ways of knowing’ that for him characterize (cloth), ISBN: 0 226 66795 2 $20 (paper). patterns of history formed primarily by the the growth of science/technology/medicine Reviewed by Duane E. Jeffery,Brigham application of rationalism and science. (STM). These are, briefly, 1) natural history: Young University He senses, first of all, a complex modern the recording or inventorying of our natural John Pickstone, a well-established world where commercialization and resources both animate and otherwise, British historian of science and medicine, corporate interests threaten the health of 2) analysis, by which he means primarily the invites us on an exploration of some major both science and society, and where public reductive methods we use to reveal how problems in current society. The “Ways of distrust of science has grown very signifi- these resources are put together and

History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002 11 interact with one another, and 3) experimen- from which to learn the history of science; it matters come into focus: the influence of the talism, by which he includes both formally- is a book with which to consider the French Revolution and its resultant nation- designed experiments to test the accuracy patterns of that history. alism in pursuing science, the influence of of our previous analyses, and also the Having said all that, and having lauded the two World Wars and the Cold War which synthesis and manufacture of novel the breadth of his coverage, I found myself followed. The rise of universities and commodities. To these three he adds two puzzled at the complete exclusion of a industries as research institutions is critical further elements to outline his method: time scientific technology that I felt could be used and duly noted. And then Pickstone turns (analyzing the past three centuries or so) and to illustrate not only his concerns, but also to his final chapter: Technoscience and breadth (seeking perspective from social some of his recommendations. I refer to Public Understandings. forces, politics, warfare, etc.), in addition to radar, which surprisingly gets no recogni- Herein lies the wisdom gleaned from the developments in the sciences sensu strictu. tion at all. foregoing analyses. Pickstone is rightly And his intended audiences? First, Pickstone sets his stage with discussion concerned with the increasing commercial- “historians and other analysts of social and of his aims and method, then turns to the ization of science. Science has become a intellectual change.” Second, the movers and question of meaning in humans’ perceptions commodity, a system with which to build shakers of “expert knowledges and of their world and universe. “Hermeneutics,” private and corporate wealth, collective and techniques” – scientists, doctors, etc. Third, to him, means not just extracting meaning national power, rather than a tool to serve the general reader. from ancient texts, but from everything we the people. The peoples’ resources have My suspicion is that the first audience encounter: the natural history of diseases become the grist of accountants’ datasheets, will quickly find much in Pickstone to inform (were they really divine punishments?), of and let the public buy them back if they can. their further thinking; Pickstone is indeed a natural laws and cosmology and possible So he calls (overly gently and in ways that master of remarkable breadth. But it is a divine intervention therein. But, he asserts, will be missed by many readers) for extended commonplace in academic comparisons that we no longer see such meaning in nature. governmental regulation to preserve public workers in some disciplines, say physics and He takes little time, however, to explore interests (e.g. ready access to DNA mathematics, make their major contributions whether that loss has had any particular sequences), more open disclosure of when they are young and can creatively significance for society. conflicts of interest by researchers, indepen- manipulate the relatively few (albeit complex) He launches immediately into “natural dence of R&D funding from commercial or rules of their discipline. In contrast, the history:” the descriptions of our world. This private enterprise, better international latest to mature are the historians, who have encompasses anatomy; disease patterns; cooperation in the assessment of the value to assimilate masses of loosely-connected geography and the exploration of new of competing technologies, more open data in order to find synthetic patterns. One peoples, plants and predators; collections disclosure of the data on which government can rarely use computers or statistics to fish of curiosities and mementoes; museums and makes its decisions (no surprise that a out genuine wisdom from history; that displays. And, he posits, the present World- Britisher will see this as a top priority, given comes only from long stocking of cerebral wide Web may in many senses continue that recent agricultural disasters). Further pleas memories. practice. are for a re-recognition and re-valuing of And it takes such stocking to really Next comes “analysis” – the probing of knowledge simply as knowledge rather than appreciate the strength of Pickstone’s the natural inventory. This reveals the as commodity, and a broadening of what we analyses. His peers will possess that; most personalities of the chemical elements, the call “science” to include the social sciences others will not. For as Pickstone warns us syntheses of Darwin and Mendel, the work and all enterprises to which rational even before his opening chapter, this is “a of the cosmologists and the microscopists, analysis can be applied. novel book” and he develops it as “a set of mathematical analyses in physics and And lastly, for my vote at least, comes a tales...a pack of narratives.” Those narratives engineering. Stratigraphy and mineralogy possibly surprising call to re-enthrone the form the critical data, of course, and they are receive their due, as do fossils and even value of studying natural history. For all our paraded past the reader in such staggering phrenology. All of these are seen as supply- societal systems are incredibly complex, and array and necessary brevity that, unless one ing understanding for the next phase of it is in natural history that we best observe knows them in some detail, which is not development in science/technology/ their effects: the impact on human health, given, one is simply at a loss to judge whether medicine: experimentation. the ecological costs of our technology, the the synthesis Pickstone derives from them In Pickstone’s hands “experimentation” sickening of the planet by the unintended is really valid or justified. encompasses not only the Baconian testing consequences of systems that were too Only occasionally does Pickstone depart of understanding gleaned from the previous promising for us to consider their dark sides. from this practice, as with some nice two methods, thus validating and refining This is an excellent and valuable work, anecdotes featuring Paul Ehrlich or Louis our understanding–but the turning of all this but it took me multiple readings to grasp Pasteur. Perhaps fewer narratives, more knowledge to technology per se, to much of that. Be prepared to do some fleshed out, would serve the second and third invention and the innumerable applications definite mind-engagement; the return is audiences better. In short, this is not a book that make our civilization run. Political worth it.

12 History of Physics Newsletter • Volume VIII, No. 4 • Fall 2002