ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
EDITORIAL
April 1960, Vol. 32, No. 4 APPLIED JOURNALS, ACS Direcfor o f Publications, C. B. Larrabee Ediforial Director, Richard 1. Kenyon Execufive Edifor, James M. Crowe Assisfanf f o the Director of Publicafions, Joseph H. Kuney Assisfanf fo /he Ediforial Direclor, Robert F. Gould ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Edifor, Lawrence 1. Hallett Managing Editor, Robert G. Gibbs EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON 6, D. C. 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Teletype W A 23 Phone REpublic 7-3337 Associafe Ediforr: G. Gladys Gordon, Stella Anderson, Kotherine LBiggs, Robert J. Riley, Sue M. Solliday, Ruth Reynard Assisfont Editors: Robert J. Kelley, Malvina B. Preiss Editorial Assisfonfs: Katherine H. Ginnane, Virginia E. Stewart, S. 5. Rogers, Lorraine M. Bertuzzi layout and Producfion: Joseph Jacobs (Art Director), Melvin D. Buckner, (Art); Betty V. Kieffer, John V. Sinnett BRANCH EDITORIAL OFFICES CHICAGO 3, ILL. Room 926,36 South Wabash Ave. Teletype CG 725 Phone STate 2-5148 Asrociote Editors: Arthur Poulos, Chester Placek, James H. Krieger HOUSTON 2, TEX. 718 Melrose Bldg. Phone FAirfax 3-7107 Teletype HO 7 2 Arsociafe Edifors: Bruce F. Greek, Earl V. Anderson NEW YORK 16, N. Y. 2 Park Ave. Phone ORegon 9-1646 Teletype NY 1-4726 Associafe Edifors: William 0 . Hull, Harry Stenerson, D. Gray Weaver, Walter S. Fedor, Laurence J. White, Louis A. Agnello SAN FRANCISCO 4, CALIF. 703 Mechanics’ lnstitule Bldg., 57 Past St. Phone EXbrook 2-2895 Teletype SF 549 Asrociafe Edifor: Richard 0. Newhall Assisfanf Edifor: Joseph Sturchio EASTON, PA. 20th and Northampton Sts. Phone Blackburn 8-91 11 Teletype ESTN Pa 7048 Asrociafe Editor: Charlotte C. Sayre Assisfanf Editor: Joyce A. Richards Ediforial Arrisfanfs: Elizabeth R. Rufe, Barbara A. Conover EUROPEAN OFFICE Bush House, Aldwych, London Phone Temple Bar 3605 Cable JIECHEM Asrociafe Edifor: Albert 5. Hester Assisfanf Edifor: Brendan F. Somerville Confribufing Edifor: R. H. Miiller Advisory Boord: W. H. Beamer, F. E. Beamirh, C. E. Bricker, W. D. Cooke, D. D. DeFord, M. T. Kelley, C. 1. Luke, W. M. MacNevin, W. J. Mader, W. B. Mason, F. W. Mitchell, Jr., N. H. Nachtrieb, E. J. Rosenbaum, 8. F. Scribner, F. H. Stross
TheAnaIyst of the Future Technological advances are changing concepts of analytical chemistry
1Iost research facilities in a modern chemical operation have a substantial segment devoted to analytical activities. Included in this setup is a small section devoted to classical methods of analysis. The major portion, however, consists of a wide variety of analytical instruments. I n many organizations there are also facilities for developing nery instruments. The scientific personnel carrying out research using this equipment will probably consist of analytical chemists, electronics engineers, physicists, and mathematicians. These various specialists are required because of the complexity of the in+truments involved. With the passage of time, it seems likely that analytical n-ork will require the use of specialists from other scientific disciplines as well. I n these areas, even though the over-all objective of each is anaclytical research, the personnel involved often consider themselves as physicists, electronics engineers, etc., as the case may be. Unless trained specifically as analytical chemists, these scientists do not call themselves analytical chemists. As noted by Dr. Cassidy in this month’s Report for Analytical Chemists, it is difficult to define analytical chemistry. Thib difficulty stems in part from the ever-changing boundaries between scientific disciplines. A l l involved in analytical work, however, have a common objective-collecting, sorting, cataloguing and classifying raw data by physical and chemical means. If this were merely a question of seinantics, the problem would be of minor importance. Our thinking on these matters, however, will govern the n.ay we approach. tea,ch. and practice analysis. This in turn will determine what the profession is to be in the years ahead. I n the future, as we see it, these scientists will fuse their disciplines into the general field of analysis. They will become less conscious of the separate disciplines from hyhich they have sprung. As this trend develops, we feel t h a t those working in the field of analysis and analytical research will face new and broad horizons. These will be challenging and will require not only ideas which these analytical scientists bring from their individual disciplines but concepts which are new and peculiar to modern analysis.
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Advertising Manogemenf REINHOLD PUBLISHING CORP. (For Branch Offices see page 1 2 1 A) VOL. 32, NO. 4, APRIL 1960
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