EDITORIAL
Chemical Pioneers ACS symposium has been designed to relate fundamental chemical science to valuable inventions
he undirected pursuit of new knowledge is fundamental to the advancement of science and, we believe, to the advancement of society. But the question of precisely how the pursuit of knowledge fits into the detailed construction of an improving society remains controversial. Opinion ranges widely on the breadth of the gap between that pursuit and the use of knowledge in the development of products or services. There also are categories used in discussing research that seldom, if ever, are adequately defined and generally agreed upon: "pure," "applied," "basic," "fundamental," "developmental." Terms often are used with exclusive implication—sometimes in praise, sometimes pejoratively. Next week at the American Chemical Society meeting, on the afternoon of Sept. 13, constructive thought will be given to some of the practical aspects of science and society. Some important views will be presented under the title "Chemical Pioneers." To the casual program scanner, "Chemical Pioneers" could easily be passed over lightly, for it occupies a modest space at the end of the session listings. Yet to anyone knowledgeable in the chemical world it should be striking, for the speakers all developed from promising young scientists who kept their promises. Each has made a valuable contribution to our society through the use of highly developed scientific knowledge and ingenuity. Each is an inventor. Each holds patents. The chairman, a chemical
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engineer, is U.S. Commissioner of Patents. The introductory speaker is President of the American Chemical Society. Although among the seven speakers there are representatives from government, university, industry, and independent consulting, each has been a practitioner of what is described as "fundamental research," although it is likely that, while no two would agree on a precise definition of that kind of research, all would agree that its value is beyond precise assessment. Also, each observer is a believer in making things useful to people—economically useful. And equally obviously, each is a believer in the value of the patent system. The group of eight people appearing on the Chemical Pioneers program will provide a stimulating display of first-rate minds and strong people who are active in relating a part of science as it really is to a part of society as it really is. The Committee on Patent Matters and Related Legislation and the Committee on Professional Relations and Status deserve commendation for sponsoring the program; ACS President William Sparks deserves credit for the conviction that brought this program to reality and for the great amount of work that went into its development.
SEPT. 5, 1966 C&EN 5
