PEOPLE
Ε. Emmet Reid— hardy nonagenarian Distinguished chemist looks back on nearly a century of prolific writing and effective teaching
C&EN:
Sometime this spring, Johns Hopkins Press will publish a book by Dr. E. Emmet Reid called "Chemistry Through Language Barriers." This event would not be anything remark able were it not for the fact that Dr. Reid is 97 years old. As he likes to point out, he is half as old as the United States. As he also likes to point out, only about 0.01% of the U.S. population lives to the age of 97 or over. "I out witted the statisticians," he explains, "by eating well, sleeping well, and writing chemistry books." In ACS, Dr. Reid holds the distinc tion of being the fourth oldest mem ber, in terms of years of membership. The person with the longest ACS membership is Everett B. Hurlburt of Roxbury, Conn., a 96-year-old chem ist who joined in 1897. Dr. Reid joined in 1900. Today, Dr. Reid still lives in the house he bought in 1917 near the Johns Hopkins University campus in Baltimore. When you enter his li brary on the second floor, one of the first things you notice is the long book shelves filled with bound volumes of Chemical Abstracts. They go all the way back to Volume 1, Number 1, published in 1907, when an annual subscription, incidentally, cost a mere $6.00. Dr. Reid has subscribed con tinuously to CA ever since it was founded. But what the visitor is primarily impressed by are not the long rows of bound abstract journals, scientific books, and magazines in Dr. Reid's library, but by the truly engaging per sonality of the man himself. He bub bles with enthusiasm, his interest in the world of chemistry seems bound 42 C&EN FEB. 2, 1970
less, and he overflows with scientific ideas and plans for the future. "I have had a ringside seat at some of the most exciting chemical develop ments of the century," he says. His intimate knowledge of many outstand ing chemical events of the past 70 years or more has resulted, in part, from his being on the chemistry fac ulty of Johns Hopkins from 1908 to 1937, except for a three-year stint in industry from 1911 to 1914. More over, for many years he was an active consultant to Du Pont, Hercules, Socony-Vacuum (now Mobil Oil), Thiokol, the Chemical Warfare Service (later the Chemical Corps), and the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Offices and honors. Over the years, Dr. Reid has held a number of im portant offices in ACS. He was chair man of the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry in 1920 and a director of the Society from 1934 to 1937. In 1947, the ACS Georgia Section presented him with the Herty Medal; in 1962, the ACS Maryland Section gave him the Award of Merit. As a teacher at Johns Hopkins and, in his earlier days, at Mt. Lebanon College, Baylor University, and else where, he has had a profound in fluence on hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students. More than 80 of them at Johns Hopkins (where he received his own Ph.D. degree in 1898) did their Ph.D. research under his skillful guidance. Physical handicaps. Dr. Reid to day continues to be active despite what to others would be insuperable barriers. For about 15 years his vision has been severely impaired. He has only peripheral vision, and is unable to read, but he is amazingly pro-
Howard Sanders
ficient at writing either in longhand or by typewriter. Also, he is quite hard of hearing. He goes out oc casionally, but seldom walks more than a few blocks at a time. To help him in his work, Dr. Reid has three Johns Hopkins students come in regularly to read to him for a total of about 15 hours a week. They read him his mail, his maga zines, his manuscripts, his books. They also hunt up literature references for him and retype his handwritten manuscripts. In all his work, he is also aided enormously by his fantas tically good memory. Newest book. Dr. Reid has been working on his latest book, "Chem istry Through Language Barriers," on and off for the past 10 years. The book, about 200 pages in length, covers a wide range of Romance, Germanic, Slavic, and other languages. In writing it, Dr. Reid points out, he received a great deal of assistance from about 25 chemists in the U.S. and abroad, who provided valuable information on their native languages. This help was necessary, he explains, because his own detailed knowledge of foreign languages is limited to Ger man and French ("two languages I had to know as a chemist") and Spanish and Italian. The book is designed to give a chem ist a rudimentary knowledge of 14 foreign languages. With a working knowledge of about 400 key words, an English-speaking chemist can do a far better job of translating, or at least scanning, scientific articles than he might imagine. For example, in chem ical reports in Spanish (admittedly a relatively easy language), about 25% of the words (chemical names, tech-
C&EN cover for May 19, 1947, carried portrait of Emmet Reid as man of the week when he received the ACS Georgia Section's Herty Medal
QtEMtCAIAND ENGUtliRHIS
NEWS
nical terms, and so on) are the same as in English. Another 25% are fairly similar to the equivalent English words. And, with a little ingenuity, says Dr. Reid, you can guess at another 25% of the words, based on the subject and general context. A full 40% of the book is devoted to Russian, and a section to Japanese. Russian, of course, is the second most widely used language in chemical literature. According to the latest statistics of Chemical Abstracts Service, 55.9% of all articles on chemistry and chemical engineering in the world's scientific and technical journals in 1969 were published in English, 22.6% in Russian, 7.5% in German, 4.6% in French, and the remaining 9.4% in other languages. In other words, the percentage in Russian was only slightly less than twice that in German and French combined. Many chemists, Dr. Reid feels, have a grossly exaggerated mental block against learning Russian. Once you have mastered the Russian alphabet (not exactly an easy chore for everyone) , reading technical Russian, he says, is not terribly difficult. In fact, it is easier than reading technical German, he believes. "For one thing, the word orders in Russian are similar to those in English. There are none of those weird German sentence structures. Also, many technical terms in Russian are exactly the same as in English." Many more chemists, he urges, should learn at least to scan Russian scientific articles for vital facts. If an article appears to be especially significant, then it should be translated in full by a professional translator. The ability to scan Russian
technical reports intelligently and thus to separate out the ones that are really important could reduce to a tenth, he estimates, the number of scientific articles that a chemist would need to have translated in full. The common practice of having vast numbers of Russian journals translated completely, he says, is costly, time-consuming, and unnecessary. Other books. Over the years, Dr. Reid has authored or coauthored more than 200 scientific articles. He has written such books as "Introduction to Organic Research" (1924), "College Organic Chemistry" (1929), and a six-volume treatise, "Organic Chemistry of Bivalent Sulfur" (1958-66). Back in 1924, he translated into English the classic work "Catalysis in Organic Chemistry," by Paul Sabatier, the French Nobel Prize-winning chemist. A book that Dr. Reid wrote in 1961, "Invitation to Chemical Research," has recently gotten a new lease on life. A few years ago, Dr. Maximo Baron, a chemist at the University of Buenos Aires, decided that the book—a fascinating and inspirational description of chemical research and related subjects, written in an informal, conversational style—should be translated into Spanish, primarily for use by Latin American students at the high school and college levels. Dr. Baron, aided by Dr. Reid, working some 6000 miles away, did the translation. Actually, the Spanish version is no mere translation. Where the English edition, for example, discusses U.S. technical libraries and the U.S. patent system, the Spanish edition describes Latin American libraries and Latin American patent systems. These and other revisions required a good deal of rewriting, done mainly by Dr. Baron, assisted by Dr. Reid. The book, printed at relatively low cost in paperback to encourage its most widespread circulation and use, was first placed on sale last year in Argentina and is now also available in other South American countries. As Dr. Baron points out, it is helping to fill a sizable void in the Latin American chemical literature. Incidentally, to help reduce the cost of the book, Dr. Reid volunteered to forfeit his share of the royalties on the Spanish edition. Moreover, he personally paid for part of the cost of publishing it—all in the interest of stimulating the study of chemistry in Latin America. This is only one small example of Dr. Reid's characteristic generosity. He has never accepted royalties on any of the more than 40 patents that bear his name as either the sole or joint patentee. As another example, Dr. Reid, in the years after becoming emeritus pro-
fessor of chemistry at Johns Hopkins in 1937, made close to 300 visits to about a dozen southern colleges and universities in an effort to assist and encourage chemical research at these institutions. For this laborious and time-consuming work he received merely his travel expenses. Challenge not to vegetate. Discussing his life over the past several decades, Dr. Reid, the son of a Baptist minister who for several years was a missionary in Africa, says with almost missionary zeal that successful retirement demands that a person keep active. "After 65, too many chemists," he declares, "slump down into their easy chairs and just vegetate. As a result, many of them die prematurely. The way to stay alive is to keep busy." The retirement years of a scientist, he says, can be an exhilarating and highly rewarding time—a time when he can do what he really wants, when he can be himself. "But he must find something worth doing, something really challenging. He can work in the fields of research, teaching, writing. He can become active in welfare projects and in working with children— anything that is productive." Characteristically, he adds, "Time is too precious to waste on trifling pastimes!" As you would expect, Dr. Reid heeds his own advice. Currently, he is writing a book on the synthesis of organic sulfur compounds. He is also working on a book of his personal reminiscences. In the future, he hopes to revise "Invitation to Chemical Research" so that it is more readily understood by high school students. At 9 0 and beyond. For many years, Dr. Reid has held a position of eminence among the world's chemists who have continued to make noteworthy contributions to chemistry despite advanced age. When he was 90, for example, he gave a report of his original research on organic sulfur-containing compounds at an ACS national meeting in Atlantic City. However, as he hastens to point out, he does not hold the record for being or having been the world's oldest active chemist. That distinction, he says, was probably achieved by Michel E. Chevreul, a French chemist renowned for his pioneering work on the chemistry of fats. Even after reaching the age of 100, Chevreul presented papers at scientific meetings. He died in 1889, at the age of 102. Discussing Chevreul, biochemist Issac Asimov once wrote, "He was one of those fortunates who live to extreme old age without ever living long enough to retire." The same can be said of the gracious, brilliant, inspiring man who continues to work indefatigably in his book-studded Baltimore home—Dr. E. Emmet Reid. FEB.
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Schachman named Howard K. Schach m a n , professor of molecular biology and biochemistry, named chairman of the department of molecular biol ogy and director of the virus lab oratory at Uni versity of CaliforSchachman He n ia, Rerkeley. succeeds Dr. Robley C. Williams and Dr. Wendell M. Stanley, who resume fulltime research, writing, and teaching activities. EDUCATION Dr. Norbert Isenberg joins University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, as pro fessor of chemistry and chairman, divi sion of science. J o h n K. Cashion and J o h n F. Vozza join as professors and Homer Knight, Douglas La Follette, Lavern Q u a s s , and Gerald S i m m o n s as assistant professors . . . Victor H. Kollman joins staff of Los Alamos Scien tific Laboratory to work in the health
WILLIAM B. ROBERTSON
James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching sponsored by E. 7. du Pont de Nemours i? Company Incorporated C o w b o y s a n d c h e m i s t r y t e a c h e r s are usually miles a p a r t , b u t aspects of b o t h a r e b r o u g h t t o g e t h e r in William Bruce Robertson, c h e m i s t r y t e a c h e r a t E a s t M e c k l e n b u r g H i g h School in C h a r l o t t e , N . C . Mr. R o b e r t s o n is o n e of six recipients of t h e 1970 C o n a n t A w a r d in H i g h School C h e m i s t r y Teaching. " M r . Robertson's r e n o w n as a t e a c h e r , " says W i l l i a m C. O r t h of t h e A C S C a r o l i n a - P i e d m o n t Sec tion, "is s u c h t h a t p e o p l e m o v i n g to C h a r l o t t e h a v e l o c a t e d in t h e E a s t M e c k l e n b u r g school a r e a just so their children m a y benefit from his t u t o r age." Mr. R o b e r t s o n w a s b o r n in I o w a . His f a t h e r w a s a f a m o u s livestock authority and judge whose occupa tion took t h e family over m o s t of t h e 44 C&EN FEB. 2, 1970
division. Dr. J a m e s D. White will work in the chemistry and metallurgy divi sion . . . Dr. J o h n P. Lambooy joins University of Maryland as associate dean of graduate school, Baltimore campuses, and professor of biochemistry . . . Ken neth A. Loft ma n of Cabot Corp. has been elected a member of Northeastern University Corp., Boston . . . Dr. Aaron L. Nelson of Rutgers is visiting fellow at Princeton University department of science . . . Dr. Philip E. Rakita ap pointed assistant professor of chemistry at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill . . . Dr. J o h n P. Schaefer, head of department of chemistry at University of Arizona, Tucson, appointed dean of liberal arts and sciences. Dr. Η. Κ. Hall, Jr., who was formerly with cen tral research department and pioneering research at Du Pont, becomes head of the department of chemistry . . . Dr. C. N. Stover, Jr., of University of Utah college of medicine, where he has been assistant dean, has been named assistant dean for administration at University of North Carolina medical school, Chapel Hill . . . Dr. Larry C. T h o m p s o n , pro fessor of chemistry, returns to University of Minnesota faculty after a year's leave spent at University of Sâo Paulo in Brazil, under the auspices of the Ford Foundation . . . Dr. William D. Williams,
stock s h o w a n d r o d e o circuit of t h e U . S . B u t t h e g l a m o u r of t h e c o w b o y w a s n ' t sufficient to lure h i m a w a y from chemistry. H e took a B.S. from Kansas S t a t e a n d an M.S. in c h e m istry a t O k l a h o m a S t a t e . H e m a i n tains a tie w i t h his w e s t e r n past, however, by contributing numerous historical articles for W a l k e r Publications on famous livestock men, r a n c h e s , a n d b r e e d i n g animals. B u t t h e c o w b o y ' s spirit of a d v e n t u r e clearly carried over w h e n M r . Robertson came to Charlotte's East M e c k l e n b u r g in 1 9 5 7 . T h e n , interest in c h e m i s t r y w a s n ' t g r e a t e n o u g h to e m p l o y h i m full t i m e a n d t h e school's i n v e n t o r y v a l u e of chemicals a n d c h e m i c a l a p p a r a t u s w a s only $ 7 7 0 . T w e l v e years later, u n d e r his direction, E a s t M e c k l e n b u r g boasts four full-time c h e m i s t r y t e a c h e r s , all w i t h master's d e g r e e s . T h e c u r r e n t inventory v a l u e of chemicals a n d c h e m i c a l a p p a r a t u s is m o r e t h a n $ 3 0 , 0 0 0 . T h i s g r o w t h is u n q u e s t i o n a b l y d u e to his ability to find o u t w h o a m o n g colleges a n d s u p p l y h o u s e s m i g h t b e r e a d y to dispose of u s a b l e e q u i p m e n t a n d to p e r s u a d e t h e m to let h i m h a v e this equipment. Mr. R o b e r t s o n is also responsible for t h e i n n o v a t i v e c h e m i s t r y curricu l u m in N o r t h C a r o l i n a h i g h schools which includes an independent study program. T h i s gives outstanding senior s t u d e n t s r e s e a r c h e x p e r i e n c e w i t h local c h e m i s t s a n d c h e m i c a l engineers, t h e k i n d of p r o g r a m usually r e s e r v e d for college seniors.
chairman of department of physical science and professor of physical chemistry at Harding College, Searcy, Ark., has been awarded the 1969 Distinguished Teacher Award of $1000 by the college.
INDUSTRY J e r o m e T. Kratina of Tenneco Chemicals has been elected president of the Salesmen's Association of the American Chemical Industry for 1970. He replaces J a m e s W. Crossin of HoffmannLa Roche. Frank J . Eveline of Westvaco chemical division named president-elect; George De Pasquale of Baird Chemical Industries, treasurer; and Art h u r J. Dimick of American Maize Products, secretary . . . Kenneth L. Moore named manager of petrochemical development at Sun Oil, Philadelphia, and Dana L. Smith named manager of petrochemical marketing. Walter C. Huffman named manager of manufacturing administration; Marlin P. Nelson, manager of advanced management and methods development; and Frank W. Bowen, director of engineering. Warren E. Burch becomes manager of refineries. R. E. Hallmark named manager of Marcus Hook refinery and Herbert C. Thober, refinery manager at Toledo. Fred E. Buchanan appointed exploration regional manager at Dallas. New directors on R&D staff, Philadelphia: George L. Church, patents; Dr. Robert M. Kennedy, applied research; Dr. Archibald P. Stuart, commercial development; Dr. Raymond Wynkoop, corporate research. Peter S. Hebb named staff manager for new products group; J a c k A. Guthrie, manager of product supply and distribution; H. L. Kephart, economic analysis and planning; and Gordon D. Kirk, product planning . . . T h o m a s S. Murphy, Jr., named project manager for Bostik line of industrial adhesives at US M Chemical, Middleton, Mass. . . . Dr. Ross Russell of Du Pont receives the 1969 Distinguished Service Award of the ACS Chattanooga Section. He was recognized for his section and community activities . . . H. Gladys Swope, consulting chemist, joins Water Pollution Research & Applications as a regional associate, with office and analytical lab in Madison, Wis. . . . Leonard Wender joins Stauffer Chemical's corporate engineering department at Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., as manager of chemical engineering . . . Dr. I. M. Whittemore appointed senior research chemist in analytical research division of Chevron Research Co., Richmond, Calif. Dr. G. L. Wood named senior research chemist in product development; Dr. S. Suzuki, senior research associate in pioneering research; and Dr. W. P. Webb, senior research associate in patent department . . . Robert E. Workman appointed to newly created position of director of chemical and plastics operations at Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Akron. T h e following have been named chemists on the staff of the research division: Nancy L. Dotson, Larry D. Roduner, Richard R. Smith, and Francis W. Stuchal.
NEWELL SMEBY
HMÏÏSF water?
James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching sponsored by E. I. du Pont de Nemours i? Company Incorporated "Newell would classify himself as a common ordinary 'workhorse/ " says Dr. Robert Whaley, principal of John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minn. "He's not a flashy type of in structor—his students learn by doing and by being challenged rather than by entertainment." In recognition of this approach to teaching coupled with the develop ment of innovative curriculums, Newell Smeby has been awarded one of the six 1970 Conant awards in high school chemistry teaching. Under Mr. Smeby's direction chem istry teachers in the Rochester school system have been identifying the ma jor important areas, or threads, of chemistry and incorporating them into existing CBA, CHEMS, and more traditional curriculums. Thus the nucleus of the chemistry curriculum in Rochester schools owes a great deal to Mr. Smeby. Basic principle of this curriculum is that ideas are introduced in an open-ended fashion, rather than in canned lectures. "My main goal in teaching," ex plains Mr. Smeby, "is to have my students develop an interest in chem istry and gain an understanding of basic chemical principles. I also want them to learn how a chemist solves his problems." He achieves this last goal by engaging his student in extra curricular science projects and by taking advantage of the facilities and helpful personnel at IBM and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Mr. Smeby's work in chemistry ex tends beyond the walls of John Mar shall High School, however. A teacher for more than 20 years, Mr. Smeby spends his summers taking graduate work in chemistry (he has a master's degree in science educa tion) or learning specialized tech niques. In addition, he helped to form the Minnesota Science Teachers' As sociation.
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FEB. 2, 1970 C&EN 45
