PEOPLE
Ralph Connor Receives SCI Medal "I was around colleges and universities for 16 years, was engaged in government work for four years and have been in industry for 20 years, during all of which time I have been more or less associated with research . . . . The thing that most impressed me was the pleasure that I have derived from being in the chemical industry . . . ." Thus Dr. Ralph Connor summarized his feelings when he was awarded the Chemical Industry Medal by the American Section of the Society of Chemical Industry. Dr. Connor, chairman of the board of directors of Rohm & Haas Co., is the 32nd recipient of the medal. He feels this way toward the chemical industry "because it is the only place where a chemist can have the satisfaction of being a part of discovery, of finding usefulness, of bringing the product to the market place, of solving the problems that the customers have in finding how to use it, and finally, of knowing that citizens are better off or more comfortable because of these efforts." Dr. Connor started his career in chemistry at the University of Illinois, where he received a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1929. From there he went to the University of Wisconsin, first as a teaching assistant, then as a Du Pont fellow. Dr. Connor, who joined the American Chemical Society in 1928, has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1954 and served as chairman from 1956 to 1958. He has been active in many ACS committees: Council Committee on Nominations and Elections; Council Policy Committee; Board and Council Committees on Publications; Board Committee on Finance; and others. Government Worker. During the 1930's, after receiving his Ph.D. in 1932 from Wisconsin, he spent most of his time teaching. The outbreak of World War II brought his teaching to an end. The problems of industrial chemistry then became his problems as he worked in the Federal Government in various posts with the OflSce of Scientific Research and Development. After the war, he joined Rohm & Haas as associate director of research. 90
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Industry is the instrument by which chemistry benefits the citizen Dr. Connor thinks that, in the 20 years since the war, science has become really important in the eyes of the citizens of this country. "Possibly it was the accomplishments of wartime research in the physical and medical sciences that led him [the citizen] to be willing to have increasing amounts of his taxes spent in scientific research and development." But "actually, the citizen probably has no very clear feel for chemistry as such, but thinks of it as a phase of science without being sure how it relates to other sciences. So far as science as a whole is concerned, he is giving impressive support to it and it is natural and fitting that he is coming to feel concerned about the extent and the nature of his commitment. ,, But, Dr. Connor says, the fact that "chemistry can contribute to the everyday wellbeing of the citizen and, in our economy, these contributions generally can come to him only through industry" should be more commonly appreciated as increasing amounts of research are supported by federal funds. Dr. Connor cites two things which distinguish chemistry from some of the other scientific and engineering fields. First, chemistry occupies but a relatively minor part of the Government's activities on the basis of dollars spent on chemical research. In fiscal 1965-66, the total Federal Govern-
ment research and development bill for all branches of science and engineering will be $16.1 billion. Of this amount, only $312 million will be spent on research in chemistry. Second, Dr. Connor says "it is more likely than some other sciences to contribute day-to-day benefits to the citizen. Chemistry . . . has the possibility of providing new materials which may be useful directly to the citizen . . . . It is in his day-to-day activities that he may more likely come across the benefits of chemistry." However, Dr. Connor cautions, "This emphasis on the usefulness of chemistry and the fact that the Chemical Industry Medal is given in consideration of 'service to applied chemistry* should not lead to the incorrect conclusion that these remarks concern applied science only. To make this interpretation is to think that research must be useless in order to be basic. Actually, successful basic research leads to novel results and may lead to revolutionary new products or processes." But the discoveries of basic and applied chemical research are less likely to be used if the ideas are not protected by patents, Dr. Connor believes. "As an incentive to develop the invention into something useful, the patent system permits the inventor to prevent others from copying his invention for a limited period of time." Safeguard. There are some, Dr. Connor says, "who feel that the interest of the citizen is safeguarded better if patents are owned by the Government and are freely available to anyone who wishes to use the patented inventions. Indeed, some academic institutions have the policy of dedicating their inventions to the public, or, if they take out patents, of making them broadly available. "If it is recognized that the instrumentality through which chemical inventions can be brought to the citizen is through industry, perhaps this would lead to a more effective approach to the problem by recognizing that the discoveries are more likely to be used if an exclusive or limited license can be granted. This is not to say that industry will take up no inventions without a patent; the record shows that this is not true. On the other hand, if an industry can have a period during which others may not take advantage of its own development work, the inventions are more likely to be utilized."
INDUSTRY New Appointments at Shell George W. Huldrum, Jr., has been named to the post of vice president - purchasing at Shell Oil Co., New York City. Henry C. Terford apHuldrum pointed manager of the product development center of the agricultural chemicals division, Princeton, N.J. He had been superintendent of plastics and resins at Shell's Houston, Tex., plant. R. W. Fourie replaces him in the latter post. Dr. A. Ross Adams, manager of commercial development at polymer division of Avisun Corp., named general marketing manager, polymer. James C. Warren named manager of market development for the division. Max S. Bass promoted to project supervisor in the central engineering department of M&T Chemicals, Inc., Rahway, N.J. Elmer W. Brennan named manager of planning and research for American Mineral Spirits, Murray Hill, N.J. Thomas J. Cullen appointed chief chemist, analytical labs of Sel-Rex, Nutley, N.J. George F. Dappert appointed manager of process engineering at General Aniline & Film Corp., New York City. Donald W. Oliver named manager of laboratory facility, information services division, at Herner & Co., Bethesda, Md. Marlow H. Paulson, Jr., named sales manager of Chicago district for chemicals division of Enjay Chemical. Douglas O. Spry joins Eli Lilly & Co. as an organic chemist in the chemical research division. Dr. John E. Tessieri elected president of Texaco Experiment, Inc., New York City. He succeeds Dr. James W. Mullen II, who continues as a director and a consultant to the company. Wiley P. Ballard named v.p. of the company.
Donald T. Winski joins International Flavors and Fragrances (U.S.) as manager of scientific computer applications. He will establish computer development work at I F F here and abroad.
DEATHS Dr. M. Irene Bailey, 68, professor emeritus of chemistry, college of pharmacy, Columbia University, New York City, Aug. 7. Joined ACS in 1935. I. H. Bernstein, 70, president of Milbrew, Inc., and of Amber Laboratories, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., Sept. 26. A. T. Glenny, 83, retired since 1947 as head of immunology department at Wellcome Research Laboratories, London, Oct. 5. Was a pioneer in diphtheria prophylaxis and in methods of immunization against all diseases. Dr. James C. Ramsey, group leader, analytical department, Glidden Co., Baltimore, Md., July 14.
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Lawrence J. Schroeder, 50, assistant professor of biochemistry, Wayne State University school of medicine, Detroit, July 14.
COATINSS ADHESIVES SEALANTS
Francis Taylor, Jr., 43, chemist at U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Aug. 29. Claude E. Titus, 60, retired Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. rubber plantations executive, July 24, Phoenix, Ariz. Dr. George G. Town, 74, retired, former professor of chemistry and chairman of department, extension division, University of Wisconsin, Long Beach, Calif., July 13. Joined ACS in 1928. Dr. James C. Wallmann, 39, research chemist, nuclear chemistry division, Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, June 11. Robert I. Wray, 70, retired chief of paint finishes division, Aluminum Co. of America research labs, New Kensington, Pa., Oct. 4. Dr. Milton Wruble, 65, retired after nearly 32 years with Upjohn Co., July 18, Arlington, Va. Herbert G. Smiley, 50, teacher of chemistry, Sherwood High School, Sherwood, Ore., June 28. Dr. Robert C. Zabor, 4 1 , v.p. and eastern manager, Heidrick & Struggles, Inc., New York City, Aug. 16.
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