EDITORIALLY S P E A K I N G
Indispensable" is the adjective most frequently applied to Professor S. Z. Lewin's series of papers on chemical instrumentation which have been appearing each month in THIS JOURNAL since January, 1959. Fortunately readers do not have to accept the "all-good-things-have-to-end" adage, in spite of the inevitability of such an event. This issue marks the inauguration of a new series "Topics in Chemical Instrumentation." Readers have demonstrated widespread and enthusiastic approval for the Chemical Instrumentation idea and format. The Topics series will he invited contributions by guest authors and will follow the same pattern. Dr. Lewin has prepared the first of these, Thermobalances (see page A57.5); he will serve as compiler and editor for the series which will be a continuing feature. The following articles will he prepared by invited contributors. Generally, topics will he somewhat less comprehensive than those treated in the previous series. (Snclear Radiation Electronic Gear, Chromatographic Equipment and Gas Chromatographs, each required four installments for coverage.) Authors' names will be recognized as those of leading research chemists who know not only the instruments and their operation, but, more importantly, the potentialities of the black boxes as extensions of the chemist's eyes and ears. Plans call for a different topic each month; the flexibility thus built into the series can allow the presenting of important new developments with a minimum of time lag. Contributors and their topics for the remainder of 1962 are:
Seldom have we published a series of contributions that has so justifiably earned the tribute, "monumental." Dr. Lewin's efforts have added up to some remarkable totals. His 43 installments have treated 16 topics. Over 150,000 words of text have been accompanied by about 500 illustrations. In more than three and a half years he never has missed an issue; only rarely have deadlines had to be stretched, then usually to incorporate truly last-minute information from reviewers or equipment manufacturers. In spite of the size of the task, the quality of the exposition has been uniformly the kind that brings joy to editors and readers alike. Repeatedly, correspondents have commented on the "detail and clarity . . .with which the articles fill gaps which are often ignored: limitations and advantages of use, design and construction of instruments . . . ." The material in print is the equivalent of a GOO-page volume. Countlessinquiries about ultimate publication as a hook have been received. We know all readers will be pleased to learn of Dr. Lewin's intention to prepare such a book and to include additional material not subject to the space limitations of a journal article. Readers also will be interested to learn that Dr. Lewin has been asked by the U. S. State Department to participate in the ICA program in Spain. From August through December of this year he will be a consultant professor at the ~nstitutoQuimico de Sarria in Barcelona. He will assist in establishing a center for research and teaching in instrumental analysis. We recall some editorial comments made a t the time "Chemical Instrumentation" was introduced (December, 1958).
September: 11. Temperature Measurement, by S. T. Zenchelsky (Rutgers)
Instrumentation saves time not for the use of more instruments but far learning more chemistry. . . . This will be the greatest value and service to our readers in this series: I t is designed t o complement thp vitally important information about tools for the chemist which our advertisers constantly supply. . ( w e hope) thus t o contribute t o the efiirieney of teaching more chemistry in the same amount of time. . .
October:
111. Activation Analvsis, by E. N. Wise (Arizona)
Novemher: IV. Thermometric Titrators, by J. J. Jordan (Penn State) December: V. Continuous Analysis, by W. J. Blaedcl and C. Olson (Wisconsin)
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"Topics in Chemical Instrumentation," the Chem Ed Feature beginning with this issue, will continue to help readers turn these hopes into realities. Volume 39, Number 8, August 1962
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