ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY WALTER J. MURPHY, Editor
What’s Ahead in the Next 25 Years?
the 25-year period. I n 1933, it became necessary to issue the ANALYTICAL EDITION on a bimonthly rather than a quarterly basis. Four years later the decision was year ASALYTICAL CHEMISTRY completed 25 years made to make the journal a monthly. In 1948 the big of service to the profession of analytical chemistry. gamble was taken and the ANALYTICAL EDITION was It is both interesting and instructive to note the growth completely divorced from Industrial and Engineering of the journal in that period. What is of much greater CHEMISTRY. Chemistry and given the title ANALYTICAL significance, however, is the change of attitude concernThese successive steps were taken because the broad ing the importance of analytical chemistry that has field of analysis was expanding phenomenally. With occurred in the lifetime of the publication. Mostly it is this expansion have come greater recognition and rea change of attitude on the part of analysts themselves. sponsibility for members of the profession of analytical The January 1929 issue of Industrial and Engineering chemistry. Chemistry, in announcing the establishment of an It is but seven years ago that ANALYTIC~L CHEMISTRY AKALYTICAL EDITION, had this to say about the role of in an editorial offered a four-point program designed to analytical chemistry : obtain proper recognition and appreciation of the Without regard to the way in which the work of chemistry map analyst. Anyone reading that program nom will agree be classified or subdivided, analytical chemistry is vital to all. that a great deal of real progress has been made in seven Its accomplishments may not be spectacular, much of it seems routine, and usually the part it contributes to the success of imshort years. However, there still remains much to be portant work is unnoticed. The contributions of analytical done; indeed, there will always be much to be done. chemistry may not be appreciated by the plant manager, nor by the director of the laboratory, nor the chief of the bureau, but It always is interesting to review the past, but what every chemist knows to what extent we depend upon accuracy in we are really concerned with is the future. What elethis field of work. . . . ments of the original four-point program need to be reemphasized; what new objectives should be added? These words were penned by the late Harrison E. We are members of a learned profession and, therefore, Howe who, as editor of Industrial and Engineering have a feeling of responsibility to society. At the same Chemistry, was mostly responsible for the idea of establishing the ANALYTICAL EDITION.His description time, all of us have a perfectly legitimate desire for both professional and financial success. If these are the genof the status of the analytical chemist of 25 years ago eral goals, what are the best means of achieving these was accurate for that period. It provides us with an objectives? Much of the past progress has been brought opportunity for true evaluation of the progress that about because the analysts discarded a defeatist attisubsequently has been made. tude. They replaced it with a realistic approach based Today in most companies, certainly the progressive on a sound evaluation of the contribution they are makones, the worth of the analyst and the analytical deing to the advancement of chemistry and science and partment is fully appreciated by top management, by the director of research, and by the plant manager. In industry generally. This was a necessary first step in the attempt to improve the professional and economic most organizations the head of the analytical destatus of the analyst. It is a firm foundation upon which partment is a full-fledged member of the team and to build in the future. participates in major decisions concerning research and We lack a crystal ball with which to prophesy the production. The history of the growth of AKALYTICAL CHEMISTRY future. We honestly believe, however, that when 1978 arrives, the editor of AKALYTICAL CHEMISTRY will be in many respects reflects the progress of the profession. able to speak in glowing terms of the contributions of This is as it should be. A scientific and technical journal can and should proyide professional leadership, as well analytical chemistry to the health and welfare of society; also about further gains registered in the as being a medium for mass dissemination of data. In its first year of existence, the ANALYTICAL EDITION professional standing of the analyst. With greater contained 246 editorial pages. In 1963, a total of 2078 professional recognition will come better monetary rewards. editorial pages were printed, a gain of nearly 8 0 0 ~ .in
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