havor a delay in starting the new project. Agreeing t h a t t h e general business outlook thus w o u l d favor waiting, O . V. Tracy of Esso S t a n d a r d Oil, acting as commercial development manager, pointed out that t h e chemical industry should b e c o n s i d e r e d a p a r t from the overall economy of the nation. For a n u m b e r ot years, h e said, t h e rate of growth of the c h e m i c a l i n d u s t r y h a s far exceeded the rate of expansion of t h e general economy. D e v e l o p m e n t C a s e H i s t o r i e s . I n the second morning's session, a series of three case histories gave t h e C C D A ' s 165 att e n d i n g m e m b e r s a n d guests insight into commercial chemical development ot three specific products—one which failed to m a k e the g r a d e , o n e still undergoing extensive d e v e l o p m e n t , and a third already a b o o m i n g success. T h e history of a n unsuccessful product, as related by John V a n Horn of D o w , was entirely oif-the-record. But its obvious \ a l u c in pointing o u t pitfalls along the d e v e l o p m e n t path w a s at once realized and a p p r e c i a t e d l>y listeners with comp a i a i u e problems. T h e ovation accorded Van Horn left no d o u b t that development men a g r e e w i t h the* psychologist w h o observed: " W e learn b y m a k i n g mistakes." As a p r o d u c t still u n d e r development, said J. J. M c F a r l a n d of Celanese, formald e h y d e in forms a n d derivatives othei than the traditional formalin solution is well on its w a y to o u t s t a n d i n g eommer' ial suecess. Careful preliminary market studies, experimental marketing trials baser! on pilot p l a n t p r o d u c t i o n , sales development u s i n g o u t p u t from a semiworks unit, and finally t h e transition from product d e v e l o p m e n t ft» straight sales were the hnii main stages m t h e e u m m e n ializ.it ion "! p a r a f o r m a l d e h y d e . M a d e available b y C c l m e s e only a few year*-- at:»*, t h e solid form had, by th*ï end of n*. fji-t y* ,irt a t t r a c t e d nearly a hundred n»"*. aefounls involving pro» evses in u h i e h p a r a f o r m a l d e h y d e had not prevto u d y hi * u uwn Meadily, hut ha-, » ι* · ι · ι . ι ι . : i d « > • »'up in*. ' · * i\> i< :t'. Chlorophyll. I ! •· -..i· oi . ! Ion phvll . '·
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Technical M a n p o w e r Shortage Threatens Science a n d Industry A d a m s , Kistiakowsky, and Swain discuss reseach and training problems facing nation S O U T H f l A D L l i Y , M A S S . - T h e shortage of scientists d u r i n g the last decade, and especially since t h e start of t h e Korean conflict is of concern to every scientist, industrialist, and e d u c a t o r , said Roger Adams at the convocation on "Science and H u m a n Values," h e l d a t M o u n t Holyoke College here Oct. 3 t o 4. Dr. Adams, head o i t h e d e p a r t m e n t of chemistry «it the University of Illinois a n d former hoard c h a i r m a n of t h e A M E R I C A N C H E M I C A L SO
CIETY, p r e s i d e d at t h e first day of a twoday p r o g r a m which featured distinguished leaders a n d the world of science, industry and e d u c a t i o n . T h e d e c r e a s e in the n u m b e r of students now specializing in science is equally dis turbing. D r . A d a m s declared, because the d e m a n d for scientists to carry on industri.il and g o v e r n m e n t r e s e a r c h projects is much greater t h a n can b e filled. He discussed the efforts under w a y to solve the prob lem, and said that some; of the more pro gressive companies h a v e gone so far us to investigate the situation in t h e schools and encourage those with scientific aptitude to consider the u n u s u a l opportunities offered t h e m in s c i e n c e and technology, financial support of g r a d u t e students by industrial companies is widespread, and more a n d more u n d e r g r a d u a t e s with ability are now being subsidized. In t h e m e a n t i m e , t h e status of pun· sei'-nce today d e m a n d s every considera tion on o u r part, t h e speaker t h o u g h t . Pure science, h e said, is not in a favorable situa tion. Inflation has affected t h e purchasing power of endowed institutions, and state
univers ities find that their appropriations a r e nor: commensurate with increased ex penses. The* standard of living of t h e instructional staff is far below what it was 2c5 years ago. Λ young married in structor- in a r t y university, w h o is d e p e n d ent cnt irely o n his university income, can not afford a n automobile and must live economically in every way. Individual ivy More Fruitful. Funda mental discoveries in p u r e science, in t h e future iis in t lie past, said Dr. Adams, a r e ι J lore 1 likely t o come from t h e individual .nvestigator, nut from the director ot a rcsearclh program, l i e is more inclined to speculate a n d to take the long-shots, lie does n o t h a v e to work under pressure and docs n_ot h a v e to m e e t deadlines. But when -the tKrill of discovery urges, h e will w o r k d a y and night to achieve his £oal. T h i s i s the sort of individual, lie ^aid, w l i o inalvus the real fundamental dis( overies. "Sucli uncommitted investigators w e r e i onnerl y numerous in t h e large universities; t hey h-ave n o w almost disappeared from t h e academic- scene. T h e scientist w h o :s a geriius recjuires a favorable atmosphere in whicdi to work, free from t h e red t a p e a n d re-strictions now generally existent. The iiu porta n e e of a single basic discovery cannot be over-emphasized. From o n e such ί : jiidainental discovery, there m a y come e v e n t u a l l y not h u n d r e d s but thou sands o f utilitarian objects ior our com! irt mi d convenience." Cam pus P a r t i c i p a t e s . M o u n t H o l y o k e , u college tor "-vonien since 1837, w e n t a l l -
Panel s p e a k e r s at M o u n t Holyoke weie H o ^ e r AdLams (3eftJ, University of Illinois, Hobert C. Swain, A m e r i c a n Cyananiid, and George ES. Kisti-akovvsky, H a r v a r d University
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4369
THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK out as a host to visitors during the convo cation. Students left t h e i r notebooks and lab equipment to serve luncheons a n d dinners to guests. Buses transported visitors between buildings, artel 4 0 of these ha\ t j appeared since Mary Lyon, pioneer in science teaching, founded the college 1 1 "5 years ago. Among the other speakers were Karl T . Compton, corporation c h a i r m a n , Massachu setts Institute of Technology; James R. ivillian, Jr., M I T president; George B . Kistiakovvsky, professor of chemistry, Har vard; Margaret Clapp, president, W e l l e s ley College; Gladys Emerson, head of t h e department of nutrition, Merck Institute for Therapeutic Research; Robert C . Swain, vice president, American Cyanainid Co.; and many top names in t h e a c a d e m i c world, here a n d abroad. Few S c i e n c e Majors. T h e serious deficit in technical graduates was also discussed b y Dr. Swain. There were about 75,000 science majors graduated in 1950 and t h e number had dwindled to 6 3 % of this o u t p u t in 1951. It is estimated at less t h a n 5 0 % for 1952. A further decline for a t least t h e next three y e a r s is inevitable. Dr. Swain said he was sure that this is partially caused by the lack of well directed a n d inspired instruction in o u r secondary schools. A scientific course can b e sheer drudgery unless the subject is made in teresting. T o o many of our science teachers are only one chapter ahead of
their class. A recent state survey showed that over half the classes in biology, m a t h ematics, and the physical sciences were being taught by persons holding neither a major nor a minor in these areas. Ur. Swain referred to the rise in re search cost which, in the instance of his company, has risen horn $3200 per m a n in the middle thirties to $7500 in 1952. h i order to take full commercial advantage of the Output of a well run industrial laboratory, he said, its company must be prepared to spend between $4 a n d $5 on such things as market development and advertising for each research dollar. "At our present tax rates neither company earnings nor outside venture capital can hope t o cover this requirement. It neces sarily follows thctt only those projects as suring a greater than average return on t h e investment can b e considered, and many worthwhile discoveries must lan guish on laboratory shelves." Another problem of vital concern to industry, t h e speaker continued, is the attack on our patent system. O n e of the many socialistic experiments conducted b y our Government over t h e past 20 years has been to weaken this structure. He was happy to report that t h e new patent law, to take effect next January, retains and even strengthens our patent system, but it will require continued vigilance. Fundamental Studies Lagging. In his address, D r . Kistiakowsky indicated that
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he was concerned over the concentration of university research on government a n d military projects. T h e danger of such contracts, he stated, comes from the t y p e of project which would convert graduate schools into commercial development es tablishments. "There is too little of independent re search, too much demand for specified iniormation by a specified date, too m u c h interposition oi an elaborate supervisory organization between the student and t h e professor to regard this as good scientific training. I see ourselves threatened with a generation of scientific workers w h o know how to carry out instructions a n d to follow in the footsteps of others, b u t who have not learned to discover a reward ing research problem, how to plan t h e attack on it, and how to solve it." As remedies, Dr. Kistiakovvsky suggested that colleges conduct only research t h a t does not conflict with the principles of good education, also that military needs he taken care of by industrial laboratories, consulting firms, and the many smaller research companies. And as industry is the great customer for college graduate students, it should help counteract t h e present trend. This should make it possible for the college professor who wants to do so to devote his or her efforts to e d u cation rather than to other activities. More T e a c h e r s . Higher standards of science teaching should h e sought, said Dr. Compton, by increasing t h e number and quality of persons entering t h e teach ing profession. This was difficult, he ad mitted, because other professions offer greater opportunities and rewards. Neither material nor prestige rewards in t h e teach ing profession are commensurate with its importance *o society, he declared. The boundaries of science have vanished, said Dr. Knierson in her address, " T h e Metamorphosis of the Specialist." A modern Kaust would look upon science as a whole. Almost all fields of science are interrelated and as such are vital to our national economy, welfare, a n d security. "Although the universal character of science has become increasingly apparent during the past two decades," D r . Kmersqn continued, "the importance of teamwork by a group ol specialists cannot he under estimated." T h e speaker showed how the scientific team idea .started in the Middle Ages and found application in modern times through t h e combination of groups ot chemists, biologists, and physicians. Landmarks in scientific achievement, she stated, were the antibiotics, and Dr. Faust with all modern too is at his disposal would not be able to supply t h e scientific know-how that goes into their production. From certain microorganism strains which yield antibiotics was obtained vitamin Iha or a closely related compound ellectivc against anemia. Later knowledge of Hi. resulted from the combined work of tin bacteriologist, the atomic physiHst, chem ist, chemical engineer, and physician.
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