MEETING THE DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL CHEMISTS FRANK E. BROWN Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa WEEN the SAMA Award for 1958 went to FRANKE. BROWN, Professor of Chemistry a t Iowa State College, a t least 40,000 pairs of hands applauded. These belonged to the students who have had the doors to chemical knowledge unlocked by his general chemistry course during the past forty years a t the Ames, Iowa, institution. Even more thunderous was the applause from the more than 500 former graduate assistants who have had the privilege of sharing his enthusiasm. A teacher all his life, his experience has ranged from a oneroom country school to a state university. His Ph.D. thesis from Chicago in 1915 gave the scientific world the famous Harkins and Brown "drop weight" technique for precisian measurement of surface tension. He has served the A.C.S. as local section officer, and as a member of the Council has contributed his experienoe t o the work of several committees. The Division of Chemical Education prospered under his chairmmship in 1941. The Iowa Academ? of Soience owes much to his long-standing support and leadership. H e has been an abstractor for Chemical Abstracts since 1921. The mark of a truly professional man is demonstrated by the fact that in addition to his efforts for chemistry and chemistry teaching he has been active in church and community, especially as a Roy Scout leader.
IN
THIS title, "professional chemist" refers t o one whose occupation is the practice of chemistry or the teaching of chemistry. The number of such persons in the United States has increased so rapidly during the twentieth century that a shortage seems impossible. The membership in the American Chemical Society has increased from less than 2000 in 1901 to more than 82,000 in 1958. But there is adequate evidence now that the demand for well-trained chemists exceeds the supply. I see three factors which contribute t o the shortage of chemists. The first is beyond our control. The second will and should continue t o operak. The third can and should be controlled. First, the low birth rate for the decade following the panic of 1929 will cause small annual additions t o the professionally trained labor force until the babies of 1940 to 1950 can be educated. The crowding of our grade and high schools indicate that in teu years t,his factor will cease to operate. Second, industry and defense are employing more chemists than anyone could foresee. During the early years of the twentieth century no one predicted the geometrical increase in the importance of chemistry and chemists. Even chemists were far too modest in their estimates. I n 1901 at the quarter centennial meeting of the American Chemical Society, Harvey W. Wiley spoke on "The Dignity of Chemistry." Speaking of the future, he said: I n 1976 will he celehrat,ed t,he eentenarv of our soeietv. . . . ~~
\Vlten thid 8 wivty rnwrs on r l m r i o u ~ ~ d e rJ' si ~ yr l w n ~ m wrl.ip t illI I I I O :i sm ii l l l . I I . of our country.
VOLUME 35, NO. 9,SEPTEMBER, 1958
Third, for several years the fraction of collegc freshmen which chose to major in chemistry has decreased. At a time when t,he proportion of chemists needed in the population is increasing, this is serious. Any plan t o secure an adequate supply of chemists must include a study of the reasons for these choices of the college freshmen and secure a more favorable view of chemistry as a profession. TEMPORARY EXPEDIENTS
Choices made by college freshken in 1958 cannot have much effect on the supply of trained .chemists for a few years, hut some practices can he,.helpful immediately. Among these are: . . , '
Relaxation of the rule which carnoels the retirement of an activeor inclination precludes full-time employment. Furnishing nontechnical help to relieve chcmiats of as much dishwashing, report writing, and other routine work as possible. Recognition of the fact that scientific discoveries and developments must precede their exploitation hy executive orders, and rewarding those who have made great oohtrihutions to chemistry by relieving them from routine and restrictions so that they can make mare and greater chemical contributions instead of converting them into executives. Compensation for theso chemical services should be comparable to what the? would receive if their training was wasted and their talents xere incompletely
. . . for training in schools. Encouraeine .. .. colleee .. eraduates whose trainine does not fit them for any orcupnticm rlyy r:>wro t.nrm r i , t n k v 1i.r ~ o w w t in i dm1 1 ~ n >~ ~ ~ ~ v~! w~m~i ~ ~ l "I
