NEWS EDITION Vol. 1 5 , No. 9
INDUSTRIAL andENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
MAY 10, 1937
Vol. 29, Consecutive No. 18 Published by t h e American Chemical Society Harrison E· Howe, Editor Publication Office* Eaeton» P a . Cablet J i e e n e m (Washington
Editorial Office t R o o m 706, M i l k Building, Washington» D . C. Advertising Departments S32 West 42nd Street, New York, Ν . Υ .
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A Tribute to Science UPERLATIVE! That word or one of equal force would easily be accepted by those present at the dedication of the new building of the Mellon Institute, which began with a reception by the founders on the evening of May 5 and continued through May 9 to permit the public to view the building following the formal exercises. Among those who were in attendance was a substantial proportion of the men who have the responsibility of spending more millions annually than any other group in the furtherance of research and development in the United States. These men, as well as visiting scientists from overseas, examined the new facilities with a critical eye and enthusiastically pronounced them as nearly perfect as the present state of our knowledge, backed by an ample purse, could provide. If the Mellon Institute is the result of the fruitful marriage of science and industry,then surely the new building is a like fruit of beauty and utility. For the Mellon Institute is beautiful in the extreme where utility need not be the first consideration, and where usefulness must be served first this has been accomplished without losing sight of the psychological advantage which comes from pleasant surroundings and working conditions. This is not the place to record the history of the Mellon Institute, nor can we attempt adequately to describe what has been done in the new building. Back of the present structure lie many years of intensive planning and six years of actual
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construction. Those statistically minded will be impressed by the fact that here we have 269 carloads of limestone, 62 carloads of granite, 932 tons of reinforcing steel, more than 4000 tons of terra cotta, and the generous use of aluminum for doors, window frames, ornamentation, and other architectural details. They will be impressed that there are 62 monoliths, which with bases and capitals have a total weight of 4432 tons, and each an over-all height of more than 42 feet. There are 1151 windows in the court halls alone, and more than 30,000 square feet of plate glass in the building. While the height from the sidewalk level is about 85 feet, there are three full stories beneath that level, so that the outside sections of the building are nine full stories in height. As for the general plan, the building is approximately 306 feet wide a t the front, 227 feet at the rear, and 334 feet from front to rear, occupying a city block, so that there are streets on each side and all sides are treated alike architecturally. The style is the architecture of ancient Greece, which combines great beauty with a simplicity that is fitting to a home of science. But the real point is that out of all this mass of material the genius of the architects, the skill of the craftsmen, and the experience of the institute's staff, all working in harmony, have produced an ideal workshop for the purposes of the organization. There are many unique features. One might think the rooms below the street level would be gloomy and unattractive, 185
but the four courts lined with creamcolored terra cotta furnish ample light through long windows from floor to ceiling, providing adequate illumination even on overcast days. The laboratories, whether single units or en suite, have been executed to the minutest detail with a view to minimizing the time required by the research worker t o find what he needs in the pursuit of his research. Office and desk space has been skillfully combined with the laboratories, even including necessary lockers. But such details must be left for personal examination to be appreciated. The men who have already worked for some weeks in a part of the building first completed say they find it a greatly improved place for their activities and that they accomplish more with less effort than in the older headquarters. That should answer all inquiries as to the success of what has been planned. But to return to those floors below the fifth, for the number of floors starts with the lower one. We enter the building by broad steps, pass between the pleasing monoliths described as the pillars of science, tooled out with great precision, for none of the shafts varies more than one-eighth inch from the established measurement and they were put in place without receiving a single scratch. We enter the main lobby through a corridor and begin at once to perceive the symbolism, for which William A. Hamor is to be credited. The centers of the first three medallions in the marble floor are insignia from the
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LABOHATORV DIM*EC*TIBLÉ TABLE*.
VOL. 15, N O . 9
The unit design of cabinets
permit» the transfer, from une laboratory room to another, of single units or complete cabinet». Tables are put together without screws, bolts, or nails. former fellows, the latter given by the May we return Robert Kennedy Duncan Club, the dedithrough the lobby on cation exercises took place in the Carnegie our way out o f t h e Music Hall, with Edward U. Weidlein building? F o r h e r e presiding. It is our privilege to print in among the many this issue the addresses of the Honorable beaut iful bouquets sent Andrew W. Mellon and Richard K. Melby admiring f r i e n d s , lon speaking for the founders, as well as donors of fellowships, THE ROOK OK THE N E W BTILDINCJ OF MELLON INSTITUTE. Note the addresses by the three Nobel Prize and others we find two the absence of projection» on the roof, and the arrangement of inlaureates—Drs. Langmuir, l T rey, and over in the corner with terior rourtu which «ive natural daylight to all laboratories. Fume» Murphy. The dinner tendered by the legible cards but eviare dinpoeed of by an in*et arrangement. trustees was addressed by Karl T. Compdently done by hand. ton, who spoke on the institute as a naOne is a vase of Cecil Bruner or small fields of research that are most prominent tional asset; Benjamin T. Brooks, who sweetheart roses, labeled "Mellon Instiin science, the industries, and the instispoke eloquently of Robert Kennedy tute. The center one is that of the AMERI- tute 1913." Beside it, the placard done Duncan, Dr. Brooks having been one of in the same hand, is a large vase holding CAN C'HEMICAL· SOCIETY, the other two are the first fellows under Dr. Duncan; and a great bouquet of enormous pink rose those of the American Institute of ChemiFrank C. Whit more, who stressed the imbuds. I t is labeled "Mellon Institute cal Engineers and the American Institute portance of the institute's work in post1937." These two came with the best of Physics. In the lobby, which is carried doctoral education. He spoke of the wishes of the plasterers who had worked on out with a heavy leaning toward Greek building as more marvelous the more one the job. And in his remarks at the dediarchitecture, are ten other medallions symthinks of it, and just one of those imposcation exercises Dr. Weidlein paid tribute bolic of other scientific societies represible things that have been made to happen. to the sympathetic and intelligent cooperasented in t he work of t he inst itute. Above He regards the building as enduring bethe doorway leading t o the elevator well tion of architects, contract >rs, craftsmen, cause it is beautiful from the architectural and staff, beside expressing profound and beyond that to the superb library is a point of view, and hence would be prethanks t o founders, trustees, and donors in bas relief depicting the creation of scienserved, but more than that capable of havaccepting for the guild of scientists, which tific knowledge and for which the characing its facilities so modified as to be suitable is the institute, these new responsibilities. ters have been drawn from Greek myFollowing an inspection of the new for the work of science, notwithstanding thology. As we pass the elevator doors we the changes which we must expect to occur building on the morning of May 6, and a see the symlxris of the alchemist and beyond luncheon to visiting scientists and to the in science. However important to indusin the library, exquisitely carved in soft wood, a series of nine panels representing plants which are the raw materials upon which the chemical industry draws for a host of products. T h e fireplace mantel and the wall adjoining the fireplace contain further carvings of this same vein. Above the fireplace liangs an oil portrait of the late Richard 13. Mellon. The portrait of Honorable Andrew W. Mellon, cofounder of the institute, hangs in the board room. The color scheme of the library, which is obviously a workshop, is conducive to quiet thorough work of this character, and beyond it lie the book stacks. On this same floor we find the offices of the director and assistant directors, splendidly furnished, comfortable, and, while elegant, nevertheless so quiet in treatment as surely to promote the concentration such tasks demand. On the floor below there is a social or club room, where the fellows intermingle to mutual advantage in the promotion of their research, while on the second floor there is a perfectly appointed auditorium, seating about 350. Here is a warm cheery effect produced by the selection of woods and colors. It is intended for staff meetings, lectures, and such miscellaneous uses as an auditorium of this kind may serve. THE LIBRARY READING ROOM The AMSBICAM CBSWCAL SOCIBTT assumes DO responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors to its publications. Published by the AMERICAN CBEMICAL SOCIBTT· Publication Office, 20th dc Northampton 8te„ Eaaton, Pa. Entered as second class matter at the Post* Office at Easton, Pa.· under the Act of March 3, 1879, as 48 times a year. Industrial Edition monthly on the first; Analytical Edition monthly on the 15th; New» Edition on the 10th and 20tb. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 1108, Act of October 3,1917, authorised July 13,1918. BUBSCBIPTIO» to nonmembera· INDUSTRIAL AND ΕΝΟΙΝΒΕΒΧΝΟ CBEMISTBT. $7.50 per year; foreign postage $2.10, except to countries accepting mail at American domestic rates; Canada, 70 cents. Analytical Edition alone· 32.00 per year; foreign postage· 30 cents; Canada, 10 cents. News Edition alone. $1.60 per year (single copies» 10 cents); foreign postage. 60 cents; Canada. 20 cents Subscriptions, enaneet of addres»· and claims for lost copies should be sunt to Charles L. Parsons. Secretary, 728 Mult BtuVing, Wanhineron. D. C
NEWS EDITION
MAY 10, 1937 try the institute's work may be, a still more valuable by-product is the training given to those w h o have taken their a d vanced degrees and who in time become capable o f directing research. This is of great importance, as w e always lack a sufficient number of real leaders. The formal program of dedication was concluded on May 7 with a Symposium on Recent Progress o l Science: FRANK B. JEWETT.
Communication Engi
neering. GBOBOB O . CUBME, JR.
The Synthetic
Organic Chemical Industry. SIB FREDERICK BANTING.
Early Work on
Insulin. WILLIAM W . 0. MACLACHLAN.
Problems in
the Chemotherapy of Pneumonia. We should not overlook another im portant part of t h e dedication program, because of it s educa t ional value. Arranged on the lowest floors of the institute were a series of most informative exhibits showing what has been accomplished and what is under way in the various current investi gations. T^iese were well done, skilfully manned, and attracted a great deal of careful study. None attracted more in terest thavn the considerable section given over to t h e accomplishments of the de partment of pure science, which has been in continuous operation since 1911, but of which the average citizen hears too little. It is not alone the 700 patents that have been taken out in the institute's history, the 1150 fellowships that have been in operation there, the 11 million dollars and more that have been paid by donors, and the even larger sum that has gone into pure science, nor even the more than 4500 industries that have been helped. What one sees in the new facilities and equip ment is tl te triumph of a modern idea. In his address Andrew W. Mellon said quite simply and sincerely that the founders re garded it as "a great privilege to provide this place to improve the common lot."
Address for the Founders 1 Andrew W. M e l l o n , P i t t s b u r g h , P a .
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HE building being dedicated today realizes the hopes of many years. My brother and I had long looked forward "to this occasion and it would have made him very happy if he could have seen, during his lifetime, t h e com pletion o f this beautiful building for the Mellon Institute. Τ wish, too, that Robert Kennedy Duncan could have lived to s e e this day and the institute's many activities, for h e was, in the be ginning a t least, the inspiration of it all. The manner in which it came about wa* quite unpremeditated, as those things often are. Strange as it may seem, it all goes back t o a school of languages and a quite innocent desire on my part to speak French fluently enough to*travel abroad in comfort —a desire, I may add, which remains unsatisfied to this day. At any rate, I called on t h e school for help and they sent a young Frenchman to my house in t h e evenings during the summer of 1909. He was -a very en thusiastic? young man and one night he brought a letter from his father in France w h o had made a chemical dis cover v, a s he thought, and wanted it tested by some industry in a position to utilize t h e discovery commercially. * Address delivered at the dedication exercises of the new budding of Mellon Institute, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.. May 6.
PILLARS OP SCIBNCS
I gave the letter to the chief chemist of the Gulf Oil Co., who reported a few days later that the supposed discovery was not of practical value, and, to prove it, gave me a book, just then published, called "The Chemistry of Commerce" by Robert Kennedy Duncan, professor of chemistry at the University of Kansas. I read the book with interest, but the part which particularly enlisted my atten tion was the last chapter, in which Dr. Duncan described his plan for industrial fellowships, by means of which industry could utilize the services of qualified scientists to solve its problems, in much the same way as is being done here today. After pointing out the confusion and waste in manufacturing, most of it chemi cal, not mechanical, he went on to say that, with larger combinations of capital and a new generation of business men be coming aware of the possibilities of the new knowledge, improvements were com· ing and would continue to come in indus try as the aid of science was invoked to solve the problems constantly arising. I was very much interested in these ideas of Dr. Duncan, for as a result of all my reading and observation it seemed to me that improvement in the standard of living of the human race could come about in the future only by reason of new discoveries and inventions, just as, in the past, the steam engine and other inventions had been responsible for many improvements in the standard of living enjoyed by the average man today. It was these things and not governmental or political action, that had increased production, lowered costs, raised wages, elevated the standard of living, and so had brought about a greater participation of the human race in these benefits. It seemed to me that an institution based on Dr. Duncan's ideas could help in this advance movement; and as my brother was keenly interested in the roject, we lost no time in persuading >r. Duncan to come to Pittsburgh and organize for us here at our university this Institute of Industiial Research. It embraces, as you know, not only chemistry but biology, for chemical re search frequently develops biological discoveries also; and so it seemed fitting to cover both fields in this new and, at that time, unique institution. Dr. Duncan became our first director and a t his untimely death a few years later, just as the then new building had
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187 been completed, his assistant and close associate, Dr. Weidlein, took his place and has ably carried on the work, with the happy results of which you and all the world know. Those results speak for themselves and are the best proof, if any is needed, that an institution of this nature, organized and conducted along the lines Dr. Weidlein has projected, and with the facilities provided for the application of chemistry to industry, fills a useful and important place in modern life. The measure of the in stitute's success is the increasing volume of fellowships which have been established as the value of work currently accom plished has been demonstrated. I cannot praise too highly all that Dr. Weidlein has done in developing this in stitution and making it a factor of such constructive value in the life of this country, and, I may say, of the world, for science fortunately has no national boundaries and new discoveries in any country eventually benefit all mankind. I have been very happy to have a part in this work, and feel that it has been a great privilege for my brother and me to provide this place where men of science can come in their search for new ways to increase the usefulness of industry, to promote health, and so improve the common lot of all. It is science, not governments or wars of conquest, that opens to us new horizons; and, as Dr. Duncan so truly said, the new processes and new powers which science will dis cover will in the future give man the chance to live and to live more abundantly. If this institute can contribute, even in small measure, towards this end, all of us here today can feel that our efforts will not have been in vain.
Address for the Founders 1 R. K. M e l l o n , Pittsburgh, P a . ELL do I recall the opening of the first W permanent building of the Mellon Institute in February, 1915. On that occasion I accompanied my father and mother and some classmates from Shadyside Academy. Of course, it was a rather interesting evening for us but, as I reflect, I realize that we younger fellows had not the slightest conception of what future developments were to bring forth, or what was contained within the walls of that former building. I am sure that none of us appreciated what knowledge of science meant to industry and business at large. I was fortunate enough in those years to overhear at home the two brothers, my uncle and my father, discuss many times with the late Robert Kennedy Duncan, and later with Dr. Weidlein, the current findings and future possibilities in the field of scientific research. As time passed I had an opportunity to become well ac quainted with the various events that took Çlace in the progress of industrial research, 'hose discoveries seemed rather thrilling at that time, as chemical warfare was taking such a prominent part in the World War. Following that period there was a tremendous expansion in industry in this country, as you all know, and it was during this era that research departments were started by corporations of all sizes and kinds. Following this post-war expansion period, came depression, and it is sur1 Address delivered at the dedication exercises of the new building of Mellon Institute, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.. May β.
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prising to know how many industries sur vived on their research* findings alone. Many of the products of manufacturing plants at the present time were conceived during the past few years. It has been said, and I think rightly so, that research in this country is responsible in a large de gree for our present high standard of living. When it is realized that there are more than 1600 industrial research departments associated with nearly every line of indus try, the recognition that is given to scien tific findings can readily he seen. All of these companies have tlieir own particular problem and are at work seeking a solut ion that will advance t heir part icular prod uct. In other words, their research is all in a part icular direct ion but here at Mellon Institute under one roof there is centered a great variety of scientific effort and be cause of this/ each fellowship is given a broader vision of what is being undertaken by* other people in diversified lines. A general feeling seems to prevail that this is a scientific chemical laboratory, aiding only industry. This is not entirely true, and we can well realize the reason for . the misunderstanding. Scientists are so shy about their work that very little is ever published regarding their efforts. The Fellows of Mellon Institute are constantly at work doing pure research in the field of biology and have l>een quite successful in their discoveries. Many lives have been saved as the result of the individual effort of these fellows, and it is the hope of the founders that they will continue their re search in the biological field and related fields. Too much praise cannot be given them, and I know that t hey regard success as t heir chief reward. This memorable occasion gives me much pleasure, and, at the same time, brings sadness. We had hoped that one of the founders, my father, would have been here with us to participate in this dedication, and it is a disappointment also that his lifelong partner, my mother, had to be absent today. They both followed so carefully the progress which the institute has made and enjoyed watching the construction of this lieautiful building. Mother has done much to add to t he cheer fulness of the interior. We are happy in deed and keenly delighted that the one original founder, the Honorable Andrew W. Mellon, is here to participate in today's ceremonies. Acting in behalf of the founders, I have the honor to say that they have complete confidence in the future under the able guidance of its present director. He has had marked success in the administration of the multiple duties that have confronted him, and keenly appreciates the tasks that are ahead of him. It is a pleasure, at this dedication ceremony, to hand the key of this new building to Edward Ray Weidlein. Director of the Mellon Institute.
Pulitzer Prize Winners IVE men shared the $1000 Pulitzer prize award for "a distinguished ex ample of reporting, the test being strict accuracy and terseness, preference being given to stories prepared under pressure of edition time that redound to the credit of journalism." These winners were John J. O'Neill of the Xew York HeraldTribune, William L. Laurence of the New York Tintes, Howard W. Rlakeslee of the Associated Press, Gobind Behari Lai, Universal Service, and David Diet ζ of Seripps-Howard newspapers. Their cover· age of Harvard University's tercentenary was the basis for the award. AU these men regularly report meetings of the
F
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY and are well
known to chemists.
VOL. 15, N O . 9
Chemical Research 1 Irving L a n g m u i r , General Electric C o . , S c h e n e c t a d y , Ν . Υ .
S
CIENCE as fundamental knowledge has been the greatest factor in ' freeing our minds from the pre conceptions and superstitions handed down to us through the ages. Our mental attitude has been profoundly modified by our knowledge of the processes of evolution. The inspiring glimpses of the universe that come to us through recent work on the structure of atoms and their nuclei, on cosmic rays, and on spiral nebulae will have an increasing effect unon our thoughts in the future. Knowledge not only helps to set us free, but will lead us on to higher things. The applications of scientific knowledge have made possible a standard of living undreamed of a generation ago. More than half the population of the United States would rapidly die of starvation and disease if we should be forced to dis pense with the inventions, products, and medical discoveries of the last century, such as the steamship, railroad, telegraph and telephone, electric power, agricultural machinery, and modern water supplies. There would be an appalling increase in human suffering if we had to give up the benefits of surgery, of anesthetics, or of drugs to relieve pain. The expectation of life of each of us has been increased many years by the advance of medicine and of public health. The studies of vitamins have nearly eliminated rickets and are leading to a widespread improvement in health. The automobile, airplane, radio, cinema, alumi num, stainless steel, etc., are bringing into our lives elements which we would not willingly give up. These applications of science have made our modern life possible, and have given employment to millions of our population. Our greatest hope for future well-being and prosperity lies in further applications of science. The unemploy ment problem, which has been so serious in recent vears, indicates the need for more intelligent social control rather than a scientific holiday. Fortunately, pure and applied science have shown no signs of slowing up during the years of depression. Judging from the number of abstracts of scientific articles in the field of chemistry, as pub lished by Chemical Abstracts, the total amount of chemical research since 1907 has been increasing quite steadily at the rate of 6 per cent per year, thus doubling every 11 years. The number of people who write original papers on chemical subjects is now over 50,000 yearly. This extraordinarily rapid scientific advance promises to speed up industrial progress and to contribute more than ever to human welfare. The scientific knowledge which has made possible modern industry was mostly acquired slowly in the universities of the world, by men who were stimulated by curiosity and who made discoveries for the joy of it. The students who at first worked in these scientific fields were led t o do so mainly through the influence of their teachers, for there was little general recognition of the industrial value of science. The industries soon discovered, how ever, that the men who had been trained in the fundamental sciences, such as chemistry, physics, and mathematics, were particularly useful. They not only better understood the nature of the in1 Address delivered at the dedication exercises of the new building of Mellon Institute, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.. May β.
dust rial processes, but were able t o invent improved processes. Until about 1900, industrial applications of science usually originated from individual inventors or from engineers or scientifically trained men in industry. There were almost no industrial research laboratories except in some of the German chemical plants. Research Laboratories During the first decade of this century several large companies established re search laboratories for the purpose of applying scientific principles to t h e de velopment of new products and processes. The advantages of this more systematic method of solving technical problems were soon evident, and the size and number of such laboratories increased rapidly. The cost of research on any one problem is often very considerable and is only justified commercially if it is less than the profits that may be expected. Thus a small company is less likely to be able to maintain a successful research labora tory. It is the great service of Robert Ken nedy Duncan in 1906 to have originated the industrial fellowship plan which meets the research needs of the concern of moderate size. The success of this plan, as developed by the Mellon Institute under the leadership of Dr. Weidlein, is strikingly evidenced today by this magnifi cent new building. Most industrial research of necessity must be directed towards definite prac tical ends. In each industry, problems arise which can be solved by the applica tion of known scientific principles. There is available a vast store of scientific knowl edge which has never yet received in dustrial application, so that much research can be done which does not contribute t o fundamental knowledge. The road from the scientific principle t o its successful industrial application, without which its benefits cannot b e given to the masses of our people, is usually long and difficult. To reach the desired goal frequently requires work of high quality and originality and a n expenditure of effort far greater t h a n that involved in the establishment of t h e underlying scientific principle. It is a common experience .of industrial labora tories that the cost of research on a problem, up to the point where a patent able invention is made, is only a small fraction of that required t o make the invention commercially successful. Al though this development work is less spectacular than the invention upon which it is based, it is a process which should command high admiration. A failure to develop an invention effectively has frequently resulted in a delay of many years in giving to the world t h e beneficial results of the invention. R e search work of the type that I have just described, which involves the application of known principles to specific industrial problems, may be properly called "engi neering research.'* There is another type of research which has been carried on successfully in some industrial laboratories which m a y be called "fundamental research." This is research whose object is the acquisition of new scientific knowledge and t h e dis covery of applications of this new knowl edge. Instead of building solely upon the stock of knowledge already available t o the scientist, a laboratory carrying o n fundamental research attempts t o ac-
