A NA LVTICA L EDITORIAL
June 1962, Vol. 34, No. 7
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY> Director of Publications, Applied Journals A C S , C. B. Larrabee Editorial Director, Applied Journals, A C S , Richard L. Kenyon Assistant to the Director of Publications, A p plied Journals, A C S , Joseph H. Kuney Assistant to the Editorial Director, Applied Journals, A C S , Rodney N. Hader Director of Editorial Research, Applied Journals, A C S , Robert F. Gould
Editor, LAWRENCE T. HALLETIManaging Editor, ROBERTG. GIBBS
EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON 6. D. C. 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. P h o n e : REpublic 7-3337 Teletype WA 23 Associate Editors: G. Gladys Gordon, Sue M. Solliday Editorial Assistants: Patricia A. Cunni5, Virginia E. Stewart Editorial Reference: Barbara A. Gallagher Production Staff-Washington: Joseph Jacobs ( A r t Director) John V. Sinnett ( A r t ) Production Staff-Easton, Pa.: 20th and Northampton Sts. Associate Editor: Charlotte C. Sayre Assistant Editor: Elizabeth R. Rufe
REGIONAL EDITORIAL BUREAUS Eastern ManagPr: William Q . Hull (New York) N E W YORK 17, N. Y. 733 Third Ave. PHILADELPHIA, Pa. 1725 Pennsylvania Blvd. M i d c o n t i n e n t a n d Western Manager: Arthur Poulos (Chicago) CHICAGO 3, Ill. 36 South Wabash Ave. CLEVELAND 14, Ohio 1367 East Sixth St. SAN FRANCISCO 4, Calif. 57 Post St. LOS ANGELES 5, Calif. 422 South Western Ave. HOUSTON 2 , Tex. 1121 Walker St. Washington Southeastern WASHINGTON 6, D. C 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W European FRANKFURT/MAIN, West Germany Siesmayentrasse 58 LONDON, W. l., England 77 South Audley St.
Contributing Editor: R. H. Muller Advisory Board: J. E. Barney 11, C. E. Bricker, D. D. DeFord, E, C. Dunlop, J. C. Giddings, R. F. Goddu, H. V. Malmstadt, W. B. Mason, F. W. Mitchell, Jr.. M.L. Moss, J. D. N e w , L. B. Rogers, B. F. Scribner, Irving Shain, Sidney Siggia Advertising Management REINHOLD PUBLISHING CORP. (for Branch 050m mee page 149 A)
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Analytical Chemistry Growing or QecIining? A according to older “classical” definitions, is XALYTICAL CHEMISTRY,
a science which is disappearing. One school of thought, for example, feels that chemistry is going out of analytical chemistry, and physics. electronics, and engineering are entering. According t o some modern definitions, however, analytical chemistry is becoming more important. This month’s Report for Analytical Chemists presents a subjective view of modern analytical chemistry and cites some of these definitions. While we do not agree in some respects with the author, Dr. Herman -4. Liebhafsky, many of the points that he raises have considerable food for thought. The revolutionary changes that are taking place in the field of analysis are due in large part to the growth of instrumental analysis. Much of the knowledge utilized in developing these new tools has come from other disciplines. This revolution, however, is not peculiar to the field of analysis; it is occurring also in other fields such as electronics, physics, and engineering. ST’e have not heard representatives of these other disciplines complain that as a result of changing conditions in their fields, they feel that they are losing ground or t h a t their prestige as professionals is being jeopardized. 1S-e feel, therefore, that the analytical chemist must recognize t h a t revolutionary changes :ire tnking place in his field which will bring about innovations with respect to the teaching and practice of analysis. His position, however, will be downgraded and his professional status challenged only t o the extent that he allows it. If he remains the master and not the slave of the tools t h a t he uses in his work, and if he keeps clear the distinction between an analytical scientist and the analytical technician tied to his instrument. the future need hold no fears.
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