Again We Favor “Improved Service”
AY
EDITORIXI, entitled “Improved S:crvice” in the January 1029 issue of Industrial and EnginPering Chemistry anEDITION of that journal. Its purpose nounced the ANALYTICAL was t o segregate articles dealing with analytical methods and apparatus, which u p t o that time had been part of the Industrial Edition. Mention was made of the greater ease with n-hich they would now be available to the analyst, and of the wider utility they might have in “every field of chemistry.” Publication began on a quarterly basis and continued so until 1933, when a bimonthly was announced, again editorially and in Industrial and Engineering chemistry. This more frequent appearance of the EDITION was proclaimed as the happy result of AB.ZLYTICAL greater popularity than had been anticipated, and of a growing demand for the journal b y those in industrial plants and I a h r a tories. By 1937 it was time for a monthly issue, the important c~liairgr being announced in the journal itself hy means of an editorial cntitled “Improved Service t o Analysts,” the first to appear in the AXALYTICAL EDITION.It was not until ten years later that editorials became an established feature. The January 1937 editorial pointed out t h a t the journal had developed its service to the point where “its position in the field of chemical literature is unquestioned and is to be envied.” This !vas strikingly eniphasized by a statement to the effect that contributions now dealt with new analytical methods and procedures, including physical testing and new apparatus, and that papers dealing with microchemktry were t o be set apart in a special sectioii. During the initial nine-year period thenumlierol published pages increased from 233 in 1929 to 598 in 1937. K i t h such growth it was logical that progress would not halt, pagelvise or purposcwiec. and b y 1947 the January editorial discussed “il l - e x S a m e and an Expanded Program,” and promised to try to “meet the changing and expanding needs of its readers and as far as possihle to anticipate such needs.” T h a t year marked thr: beginning of ASALYTI( s . 4 ~ C A k x I s r R Y as an independent journal, and introduction of the nionthly editorial, the “Aids for the Analyst” section, and t,he Anal>-st’sColumn. The test pages for the year totaled 1046. S o n in its fifth year as an independent journal and definitely establiphed as the world’s leader in its field, .ASAI,YTICAL CHEIIISTRY looks hick on a record of 1582 pages published in 1950 and strives dail\- to keep in step with the times and with the increasing volume of contributed articles. Readers cannot help noticing that the range of subjects discussed in the journal has changed considerably in the past several years. Today a strict adherence to the original criteria for articles would seriously impair the usefulness of the journal. It is necessary to publish contributions which in earlier days tyould have been considered more appropriate for nther journals. Indeed, in some cases the broadening of the analytical horizon has been so seemingly radical that readers have questioned our judgment in interpreting the analyst’s interests. However, despite the few who still favor a restricted field for the analytical chemist, the editors plan t o continue efforts to mirror through ANALYTICAL CHEXISTRY the modern-sometimes ultramodern-developments in analysis, both in industry and in academic institutions. As in recent times, papers will sometimes be
purposely selected becaupe of their value in revealing trends and anticipating needs. Perhaps the greatest recent changes have taken place in emphasis on the physical and on the application of physics and physical chemistry to the solution of analytical problems. This again has been necessary to meet the growing needs of a growing group. Iloubtless most of our spacc will continue t o be used for articles of strictly analytical content, hut rye cannot overlook newer techniques, regardless of basic principle, if in our judgment they can be applied to the solution of analytical problems. Only by such adaptability can ASALYTICAL CFIEMETRYcontinue to flourish and live up to its initial promise of “Improved Service” for analysts.
In Appreciation r THE long-awaited appeararicc of the book “Reagent Chemicals, I American Chemical Society Specifications 1950” marks a
milestone-and an important one-in the work of the Society’s Committee on Analytical Reagents. Analytical chemists the world over have reason to be grateful to the members of this committee, n.ho for years have worked on the perfection of these specifications, which are intended to serve for reagents to be used in precise analytical work. These men have tested and retested in their laboratories, mct frequently for discussions, and more recently have spent long hours checking the galley and page proofs of the book. Other chemists who have not been members of the committee have also furnished valuable assistance in the preparation of thcse specifications-in particular, in Iaboratorics of organizations with n-hich committee nienibers are connected. The original committee was appointed in 1917, and as early as 1921 published four specifications in Industrial and Engineering Chemistry-for hydrochloric, nitric, and sulfuric acids, and animoniuni hydroxide. Other specifications were published from time to time, more recently in ANALYTIC~LCHEXISTRY,and the work of the committee has gone on continuously. The specifications included in the present book are the result of the work on reagents done since 1917, but these specifications are in large’ measure due to the efforts of those holding membership since 1925. The 1950 committee is responsible for the preparation of t,he present edition. K.D. Collins, a member of the committee since 1920 and its chairnian for several years, has done yeonian work in assembling and editing the manuscript. Special thanks are also due to Edward Wichers, chairman of the committee since 1943. The responsibilities of the committee have not come to an end with the appearance of this book, but its work will continue, in the expectation of extending the list of reagent specifications, modifying existing specifications as better reagents become ajailable, and improving methods of test. T o all those who have served on the committee, and to those not on the committee who have helped in preparing and checking specifications for reagent chemicals, the chemical profession and the chemical industry, including all who depend in any way on authoritative chemical standards, owe a lasting debt of gratitude,
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