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Organization of Industrial Research Side Lights on the Symposium Held at Syracuse, Interpreted by Washington Platt URE research is difficult. Industrial research is etc., there is an abundance of up-to-date material in the doubly so because the dollar sign enters into every literature. For help on the organization of the research equation. But there is still another factor of funda- there is little since the excellent book by Doctor Mees written in 1919. This book deals principally with the larger research mental importance which enters into industrial researchnamely, psychology. ‘This has often been overloolred. It is laboratories. The present report is intended to supply part not enough to produce scientific work which is original and of this need by giving some information as to the way that accurate. It is not enough to achieve results which can be several of the problems of organization are being faced in turned into profit. The exerutives of the company must be modern laboratories, large and small. “Research begins with a thoughtful man writing down a convinced of the importance of the industrial research. Then, and only then, will they have the faith to grant adequate number of questions about his business, t o which he would equipment. the patience to persevere, and the courage to like the answers-and then starting out to find these answers.” This is a definition which anyone can understand. It back the conclusions of the research when completed. includes not only chemical The o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d research, but also research direction of industrial rein sales, market analysis, search is one of the most imA s y m p o s i u m on the Organization of I n d u s t r i a l Recost finding, etc. Research por tant and difficult probsearch was held as part of t h e Intersectional Meeting of in this sense means the dislems connected w i t h t h e t h e American Chemical Society, a t Syracuse, N. Y., covery of any new knowlwork. For want of proper October, 1928. Papers were presented by Chas. M. A. edge and, being industrial organization and proper unStine, C. E. K. Mees, S a u l D u s h m a n , a n d Washington research, it means the disderstanding on the part of P l a t t . Valuable additions to the s y m p o s i u m were conc o v e r y of a n y new a n d t r i b u t e d i n t h e discussions by R. A. Baker, L. H. Cone, those who direct the work, ultimately profitable knowlW. J. Marsh, R. B. MacMullin, H. Pringsheim, C. J. much industrial research is a edge. S t a u d , E. C. T h o m p s o n , F. C. Whitmore, L. E. Wise, failure through no fault of Assurance of Success a n d m a n y others. the chemist who performs This s y m p o s i u m b r o u g h t o u t m a n y f a c t s of i n t e r e s t the experiments. There is a type of research in regard to the m o d e r n s t a t u s of research in America. Doctor Teeple, in his Perproblem which is characterThe present writer has a t t e m p t e d t o set down s o m e of k i n M e d a l a d d r e s s @),* ized by being e x t r e m e l y the central ideas t h e r e expressed. For a n y misintertouched on this when he practical and having a pretations, however, he alone is responsible. said: l i m i t e d o b j e c t i v e . Examples in the field of chemEnterprises dependent on istry are-What is the relichemical progress are continually starting, and just as continually many of them turn out t o ability of our present methods of analysis? How can we be failures, reflecting discredit on both chemists and management. measure the viscosity or other characteristics of our product? The chemist, then, desiring to do creative work, must ask two How can we increase our yield? What is the efficiency of questions before he starts. First, are the conditions such that I can do this work so far as it relates to my profession and carry each operation? it through to a finish? And second, assuming that my proResearch of this kind is almost certain to bring results fessional work is well done, will all the other factors necessary which are valuable, even if not revolutionary. It does not to commercial success be available, such as sufficicbnt money, knowledge of business and of the business experience, salesman- require a genius to direct it nor a brilliant chemist to carry it ship? Unless the chemist can answer both questions positively out. Such research requires the planning which can be and rather decidedly, he had better move on before he starts; given by any intelligent executive-the same amount of otherwise, he will find himself ultimately out of a job and under thought and planning which would be given to the organizablame for failure, or else he will find himself changed from a creative chemist into a mere work horse. On the other hand, tion of a sales campaign or to the layout of a new factory. the business man who contemplates bringing creative work On the part of the chemist such research requires reliability, into his organization would do well to ask a few questions, such hard work, and common sense. I n the words of the late as-Why do I want to take this step? Have I the time, patience, Charles F. Chandler, the only requisites for the success and money to carry it thro’ugh to a finish? Is there some man or men in my organization with the intelligence and the under- of such work are “to vary one thing a t a time, and to keep a standing from experience to direct this work and t o lead the careful record of every experiment.” men engaged in it so that they will grow and produce? And Much was said a t the symposium regarding the “uncertaindoes this particular chemist candidate before me have the ambi- ties’, of research. Possibly this point was stressed too much. tion, the spirit of adventure, and the technical equipment which Nothing was said as to the reasonable certainty of the success make it probable that he will be a contributor? Unless all these questions can be answered positively, the business man had better of research having limited objectives of the kind just depostpone the matter indefinitely. scribed. Here the certainty of success is a t least as great as that of a new sales campaign, or a new advertising program, It can almost be said that the organization and direction or a new factory. of industrial research is the most important and puzzling Uncertainty of Research problem of applied research in America. It is certainly the first and most difficult problem to be faced by an industrial Research with more ambitious objectives is necessarily concern inaugurating a research campaign. Business executives are becoming more and more con- uncertain. Most projects will probably fail, but the few which succeed should more than pay for themselves and all vinced of the value of industrial research. For help in regard to methods of chemical analysis, layout of laboratories, the failures. Often the results originally sought are never obtained, but other results of equal, or greater value, are * Italic numbers in parenthesis refer to literature cited at tsnd of article. achieved.
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I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERIiVG CHEMISTRY Choice of Problems
C. S. Miner (1) pointed out the fundamental importance of the choice of research problems in an address before another intersectional meeting. He said in part: Those who are handling industrial research during the present crucial period will be primarily responsible for the rate of growth of the movement. If, through intelligent selection of problems and firm refusal t o undertake those that seem uncertain or impossible of solution, there is brought about a condition where a substantial percentage of the problems undertaken are profitably solved, we shall have done the greatest thing possible to advance the cause of this class of reseaich. * * * Researches are normally most successful when they are undertaken after consultation with scientific men who know the industry thoroughly and who know the science thoroughly, and these, of course, need not necessarily be the same men. Otherwise, despite the best intentions, mistakes are almost certain to be made in the selection of problems.
The fundamental difficulty of picking problems for investigation was brought out by one of the speakers, who said: “If a chemist becomes interested in a problem and asks to work on it, some one has to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Personally, I hate to say ‘No’ and I am always scared when I say ‘Yes.’ ” If a man has an idea in which he is interested and which he is very anxious to try, it is often well for the director of the laboratory to allow him to try it, even though the director may be convinced that the idea is impractical. If the director arbitrarily rules out all ideas in which he does not personally believe, he confines the progress of the whole laboratory within the limits of his own preconceived ideas. Doctor Dushman said in substance:
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be quite a change in the original idea. We find it good to discuss things together a t various times. * * * Wherever there are men who are enthusiastic about their work-I do not care what their work is-it will be successful.
It is this very enthusiasm which is so often killed by improper direction of the research-leading to unwise choice of problems, constant interruptions in their pursuit, and inefficiency in putting successful results into operation. As much liberty as possible should be given research workers in their choice of problems and in their method of attacking them. A very few men can be given complete freedom, but most men require some direction, and this direction is, in fact, essential in order that the laboratory may reach the particular objectives set before it. It is better, however, to err on the side of allowing too much liberty than of allowing too little. Developing Research Chemists
There is a shortage of good research chemists. One explanation was that research chemists are born, not made, and that the only way to turn out more research chemists would be “to increase the birth rate.” On the other hand, it was pointed out that much of the failure t o develop good research chemists must be laid a t the doors of the universities. Courses leading to the Ph.D. degree in chemistry should be fundamentally training in chemical research. The major part of the time should be spent on research conducted in such a way that the student has liberty to make his own decisions and to learn by his own mistakes. A study of university courses leading to a Ph.D. degree in chemistry has been made by several of those present a t If you adopt the policy of allowing the director of the laboratory to control absolutely the problems to be attacked by all the symposium. Too often the post-graduate course is of those under him you are not allowing anybody to grow little more than a continuation of under-graduate work with beyond the limitations of that one man. I would sooner allow a large proportion of lectures, recitations, and required prea man to pursue some idea which I do not believe is practical. liminary examinations. The research is assigned a comIf the idea turns out to be worthless, he will soon discover it. If the idea is good, it will make a name for the chemist and he paratively minor role, and is postponed almost entirely t o the last year of the course. This method is not good for will try to do something to justify your faith in him. When a man comes to me, 1say, “What are your ideas, discuss developing research ability. them!” Perhaps it is an impossible idea, but I will say, “If Many students of chemistry, upon receiving their bacheyou are so enthusiastic about it, I can’t get you to do anything lor’s degree, have a distinct interest in research and would else, so go ahead.” like to pursue it. It is well known that a large number of M e n R a t h e r than Methods these would-be research workers fail to continue in research. Many of them are lost t o research because of lack of funds. Wide differences were found in the organization of the There are numerous scholarships, it is true, but few of them large laboratories represented a t the symposium. The are adequate to live on. laboratories of the du Pont Company are thoroughly orAnother point in their career when many chemists are ganized with the duties of each carefully defined. On the forced to abandon the idea of research for their life work is other hand, those of the General Electric Company have the when they get their first job. They may enter industrial minimum of definite organization. A certain amount of life, hoping and expecting to do industrial research, often organization seems inevitable in a large laboratory and the being promised this opportunity by their employers. On amount of organization in the laboratories represented a t the entering upon their duties, howkver, they find continual symposium has increased in the past few years, in spite of a interruptions to any research that they may attempt. All general desire to keep it a t a minimum. their time may be taken up with analytical work, or they It was emphasized by all that the vital factor in any labo- may be called on constantly to settle difficulties in the plant ratory is the men rather than the type of organization. This or may be given work in the production or sales departments. does not gainsay the importance of the proper direction of Always the claims of research are put last. Finally, after the work, because the efforts of the best chemist are wasted repeated interruptions and consequent failure to accomplish if directed along the wrong channels. A poor organization anything worth while, they give up the hopeless attempt. will prevent success, but good organization will not insure it The Chemical H u n c h without the proper men. Individuals differ in regard to the conditions under which The question of L‘chemical hunches” came in for much they can do their best work. A few men are by nature “lone workers,” but most men gain a great deal from contact and discussion, even though not directly connected with the subject of the symposium. Every worker with a spark discussion with other chemists. Doctor Dushman said: of the true scientist in him has had the experience of the In our laboratory we have no regular staff meetings. Usually appearance of the hunch. He has been working on a probthe most successful staff meetings occur when somebody gets lem continuously without success. He is completely a t a a hunch and talks to somebody else and gets a third man interested. By the time they get through talking to him, there may loss as t o how to continue. He may even abandon the prob-
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lem for a time. Suddenly the solution comes to him. He thinks it over and it seems eminently reasonable from every point of view. He tries it and it works! Out of an almost infinite number of possible modes of attack, the right one has dawned upon him without effort-seemingly from Heaven! The statement that a hunch comes “without effort” needs qualification. The hunch often arrives a t a time when no conscious effort is being exerted, but it comes only as a result of a long and intense study of the problem and much previous hard work. Hunches are not a substitutc: for study and hard work, but are a supplement t o such work and a proper reward for it. Hunches are supposed t o be the results of the working of our subconscious minds upon problems in which we have been deeply absorbed. Here again we see the importance of the research worker becoming absorbed in his problem and being free from interruptions. Little in the way of hunches (or anything else) can be expected from research carried out in odds and ends of tinie or as a minor function among many diverse activities. Many of those present believed that it was possible definitely to encourage the appearance of the hunch by purposely creating favorable conditions. I n general, a nian incessantly busy with one activity or another during all his waking moments is not one t o whom such ideas often come. We can drown out messages from the subconscious mind by keeping our conscious mind constantly occupied or too greatly fatigued. Great differences w r e reported as to the most favorable conditions for the appearance of a hunch. Doctor Cone advised work in the laboratory. The hunch would come while the work was in progress. Another chemist said that the most valuable time that he had ever put in for his employer was spent sitting with his feet on the window sill, looking out of the wjndom. Nost reported that hunches came during periods of apparent idleness-following, how-
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ever, long periods of intensive work. One reported the system of going over the problem just before retiring for the night; the solution would often become apparent in the morning. It was interesting and unusual to see a large group of chemists devote so much earnest discussion to a question of psychology. I n spite of the unreliability of much that passes for the modern science of psychology, this is a question which is worthy of future study both from the psychological and the chemical points of view. Summary
The present miter ventures to sum up the three most important considerations for the success of research work as follom, given in the order of importance: (I) good mennothing can act as a substitute for good men; (2) proper choice of problems: (3) protection of research workers from constant interruptions, interference, and unnecessary delays and discouragements. Given these, the research work itself is sure to be successful. Following this, however, must be (4) proper utilization of research results after they are ready to leave the laboratory. Only by proper backing by the executives of the company can research be translated into action, and thence into profits. Types of Laboratories Described
Many examples of the organization of large research laboratories were discussed a t the symposium. The organization of the smaller research laboratory was also considered, although t o a lesser extent. The two following papers presented a t the symposium describe the organization of both types of laboratories. Literature Cited (1) Miner, IUD. Esc CHEM, 20, 1069 ( 2 ) Teeple, I b r d , 19, 318 (1927).
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Structure of an Industrial Research Organization Charles M . A. Stine E. I.
DU
PONTDE SBMOURS & COMPANY, TVILNINGTOX, DEL.
ESERALIZATIOSS on the subject of the organization of industrial research are likely to be dry and tiresome. The type of technical organization which I have been attempting to develop for the last four or five years has, however, proved interesting to a number of visitors to our laboratories, and I shall therefore attempt to outline as briefly as possible the nature of this organization. The purposes I have always kept clearly before me are: first, to attempt t o insure a proper contact by the members of the organization with the very vital, and therefore continually growing and expanding, sciences of chemistry and physics; second, to insure proper contacts with the various parts of a large industrial Organization, since these contacts are essential to the effective and satisfactory conduct of what is, in its nature, a service department; third, to guard against dwarfing the natural growth of the man through constriction of his point of view which follows very naturally upon the quite common and human tendency to get into a rut. Types of Activities
To begin with, it must be pointed out that our chemical research must be so organized as to serve a somewhat diver-
sified line of chemical manufacture, though the various processes and products have much in common so far as the fundamental chemistry involved in them is concerned. Four phases of applied chemistry are illustrated by the activities of our laboratories: (1) chemical control; (2) the improvement of existing processes or products; (3) the devising of new processes for the manufacture of existing products, or of new ones; (4) fundamental or pure research. The first phase of our chemical activities-viz., those comprised in what me know as chemical control-requires little or no comment or definition. By chemical control we all understand the activities of the works laboratory charged with maintaining yield and quality of a chemical manufacturing operation where the operation is carried on according to well-defined and completely described operating procedure. I n some technical laboratories the second phase of applied chemistry-viz., the improvement of existing processes and of the quality of current products-is combined with the responsibility for chemical control work. It is true that these two phases are closely related, and the extent to which the two nil1 overlap depends, t o a considerable degree, upon
