OCTOBER 15,1939
ANALYTICAL EDITION
ditions and determine the optimum for a particular problem. He must study the relations of inductance and capacity, and eventually he must be thoroughly acquainted with the influence of one element upon another when both are volatilizing a t the same instant. Practically in the present status of spectrographic science this has bocome a limiting factor and is a problem, which, when satisfactorily solved, offers promise for greater accuracies than can now be attained. Physicists and chemists in various fields are seeking the answer and it is hoped that major advantages will come from these investigations. The Bausch & Lomb Optical Company is making the necessary plans to support a fellowship a t the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the sole purpose of which will be to investigate the basic phenomena occurring in sources of energy where metallic vapors exist. Such investigations as these provide the basis upon which the designer can rely to build into his mechanical, optical, and electrical structures new features which will increase the reproducibility and hence the reliability of the results. As is true with any growing science, many problems of fundamental nature are still unsolved and the solution of any one usually makes it necessary to redesign existing apparatus or to devise new apparatus to meet the need. Another phase of design which is not often given enough consideration is that of the study of the materials in the optical structure. Today most of the work is done in the ultraviolet or in the infrared region where suitable materials are few and expensive. The designer must utilize these materials to the utmost and must be sure a t all times that they
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are neither inferior in quality nor poorly fabricated. This means that he must be, to a certain extent, a student of crystallography in order to design and test systems which will function to the greatest advantage and convenience of the user. Quartz, calcite, fluorite, and rock-salt all enter the optical structure in one place or another and each offers its own problem in the design of specific optical systems. Quartz and calcite are birefringent and the former is rotatory also. Each requires special forms of computation to produce the desired results. Rock-salt is hygroscopic and offers its own peculiar problems. Only careful selection of material and careful handling of the varied optical constants can achieve useful results. The combined efforts of many individuals are usually necessary to bring about material advances in any scientific work. In this brief account of developments in a single group of instruments, we see the designing engineer drawing his data from industrial and educational laboratories, combining these with his own knowledge of materials and design, and turning back instruments which contribute to increasing accuracy and additional achievements in many fields. The chemist, the physicist, the astronomer, the biologist, the geologist, the criminologist, and even the dealer in scrap metal in one way or another derive profit from the joint efforts of the laboratories and the instrument designer. Whether i t be the composition of the universe millions of light years away, or the composition of the discarded bit of alloy in the junk yard, the spectrograph is capable of yielding the answer quickly and in a manner that is not usually subject to dispute.
The Laboratory Supply House D. A. KORMAN Eimer & Amend, New York, N. Y.
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ABORATORY supply houses are not merely dispensers of merchandise. Very few people realize how far their service extends and how vital is their contribution to industry, science, and economic welfare. It is logical for laboratory workers to approach these institutions with their problems, for where else can such complete service be rendered? A staff consisting of chemists, physicists, bacteriologists, instrument makers, and glass blowers, with instrument shops, glass-blowing shops, literature references, files, and similar facilities, is maintained a t great expense by these firms. The older laboratory supply houses are libraries of information, whose functions are to render willingly a practical service t o those in the field who have perplexing problems. We read of the progress made in developments of plastics, synthetic textiles, medications, etc., better materials produced a t lower prices, better methods of preserving foods, purer foods, sanitary control, eradication of disease, increase in the span of life, creation of new industries, better homes, etc., all as a result of achievements by research. The significance of the contribution that is made by the laboratory supply firm is often overlooked entirely. It is true that in the brain of the researcher ideas are created, but mental visions do not always become practical processes unless tools are developed or created to carry out the ideas. For instance, a scientist evolves a plan for manufacturing a new product. He finds during the development
stage in the laboratory that he needs a special piece of apparatus. Since he is no artisan and has no facilities for fabrication, he approaches a laboratory supply house, as a source that not only makes these available but is able to conceive what he has in mind. Thus, frequently the task becomes the problem of the artisan assigned to construct an apparatus that will finally carry the problem to success. Some years ago, this company v a s approached by a scientist who had an idea that the product his firm was manufacturing could be improved in quality and produced more efficiently. He outlined his theory and explained the existing methods and processes, and in a short time a thorough knowledge and understanding of the problem were acquired by the artisans delegated to the task. It was necessary to devise an instrument for actual tests and control of the materials, and after many months of investigation and experimenting, the problem was solved most satisfactorily. The firm, thereafter, was able to produce a better and more uniform product, and the undertaking resulted in many economies and a tremendous increase in sales. Though the role that was played by the laboratory firm has undoubtedly long been forgotten, it certainly contributed substantially and in many ways to the benefit of the industry. This is but one of numerous incidents where the research worker and industry have benefited by the scientist’s cooperation.
