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The Chemical Society of London Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary

W A L T E R J . M U R P H Y

JL Η κ Centenary Celebrations of the Chemical Society, which would have been held in 1941 but for the second World War, took place in London July 14 to 17 with all the characteristic British pomp and traditional ceremoiry. Immediately preceding the Xlth International Congress of Pure and Applied Chemistry, more than 3,000 chemists and chemical engineers from all parts of the world assisted in the célébrât ion of the first century of existence of the Chemical Society, a hundred .years which constitute the most eventful century in known history, and it may be said with­out fear of contradiction that chemistry has played a leading role in making it so.

The celebration of the hundredth an­niversary of the foundation of the Chemi­cal society just concluded contrasted sharply with the simple affair which marked the actual turn of the century for the society. In a London already badly damaged, fewer than 100 fellows gathered together on April 3, HJ41, for a wartime lunch instead of a ceremonious dinner. But a single overseas guest was present, J. B. Conant, president of Harvard Uni­versity, an honorary fellow of the society,

who happened to be in England on a scientific mission.

The words of the retiring presi­dent, Sir Robert Robinson, now president of the Royal Society, uttered on a day when the fate of a free world and a free science rested in the balance, are worth repeating in a report of the cele­brations:

The society will not rest on its laurels*, and the glories of the next hundred years will equal those of the past. This is the faith in which the pioneers of 1841 would wish us to persevere.

The first event in the four-day celebra­tion program occurred on Monday, July 14, when the president of the society, Cyril N. Hinshelwood, Oxford University, opened the centenary exhibition at the Science Museum, South Kensington. The chair on this occasion was occupied by the Rt. Hon. George Tomlinson, Minister of Education, who spoke briefly on the great contribution of science and particularly chemistry, during the past 100 years, and expressed the hope that the next century

2198 C H E M I C A L A N D E N G I N E E R i N G N E W S

Upper. Plut for ni delegation at the formal opening of the celebrations of the Chemical Society in the Central Hall, Westminster. Lower. Cyril ΛΓ. Ilinshelivood, presi­dent of the Chemical Society

would see great expansion in Great Brit­ain's contribution to the further advance­ment of science and the determination of· the present government to assist in every possible way the achievement of this worthy goal. He also expressed the wish that in the future science would be devoted exclusively to the betterment of mankind and the continued advancement of the standard of living for all the peoples of the world.

Responding, Dr. Hinshehvood reminded Mr. Tomlinsou that the true university Ί& a collection of books "and that tho present acute shortage of paper in the United Kingdom is a great determent to the dis­semination of scientific literature so es-

sential to continued progress in science." Sir Robert Robertson concluded the

brief opening ceremony by thanking all those who had participated in the prepara­tion of the exhibition, and the audience then proceeded to inspect the examples of chemical progress during the past 100 years.

Scope of the Exhibition

T h e exhibition is divided into two sec­tions. The historical section, arranged by the joint exhibition committee of the Chemical Society and the X l t h Interna­tional Congress of Pure and Applied Chem­istry, under the chairmanship of Sir Rob­ert Robertson, illustrates the development of chemistry in Britain since 1811.

T h e modern section, which was or­ganized b y the Depar tment of Scientific and Industrial Research with trie coopera­tion of the Agricultural Research Coun­cil, several research organizations, and other groups, deals with the impact of chemistry on man 's daily life. I t is a splendidly executed presentation of the great strides which have been made in both pure and applied chemistry since the year when 25 chemists met on March 30, 1841, in the rooms of the Royal Society of Arts "in order tha t they might consider the formation of a society for chemistry and mineralogy.' '

T h e historical section consists of the following: (1) the properties of gases; (2) the solid s ta te ; (3) colloid science and surface chemistry; (4) liquids and solutions; (5) chemical reactions; (6) valency and atomic s t ructure; (7) inor­ganic chemistry; (8) agricultural chem­istry; (9) organic chemistry and bio­chemistry; (10) analytical chemistry.

Section 2, prepared by James Laurie, is designed to give a clearer idea, to the lay­man of the ramifications and importance of chemistry in everyday life and, by detail­ing a few only of the myriad possible items, endeavors to show how the chemist works and the actual operations he puts into practice to secure the desired result, which m a y be needed for medicine, industry, agriculture, or the home. American

Sir Robert Robinson, president of the Royal Society, greeting the Chemical Society on behalf of the sister societies of the United Kingdom

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chemists and chemical engineers viewing th is section were universal in their lauda­tory comments and many expressed the hope t h a t a somewhat similar exhibit will be developed for widespread showing in t h e United States. .The exhibition will be opened t o the public until Sept. 30. W. Λ. Noyes, Jr., presenting the

formal address of the American Chemical Society which is reproduced above

Formal Opening The formal opening of the celebrations

took place in the Great Central Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday morning, July 15. The opening was preceded by a re­ception a t which the distinguished visitors and delegates representing kindred socie-M. T. Bogert presenting written ad­dresses of congratulations on behalf of International Union of Chemistry and The Chemists' Club of New York

V O L U M E 2 5, N O . 31 » » A U G U S T 4, 1 9 4 7 2199

Left. Linus Pauling, ivlio receive*! honorary degree of doctor of science from Uni­versity of London, and became an honorary fellou of the Chemical Society. Right. Sir Henry Dale being made an honorary fellow of the Chemical Society.

ties and organizations from other coun­tries, from the Empire, and from great Britain were received by the president and the t'cuncil. The proceedings in the great hall opened with the colorful procession of delegates, many in academic dress rep­resenting overseas societies.

In a historic address the president of the society, Cyril N . HinsKelwood, re­viewed the progress of chemistry by 20-year periods from the foundation of the Chemical Society in 1841. Emphasizing the fact that the society was founded a t a most opportune moment when t h e number of young chemists engaged in doing research was rapidly increasing, it provided the means for discussion a n d publishing their results. I t was a period of bitter controversy. The society pro­vided the one opportunity for bringing together those with divergent and oppos­ing theories which ul t imately were re­solved and the science of chemistry in the modern sense made possible.

Since 1937 Dr. Ilinshelwood has been Or . Lee's Professor of Chemist ry at Oxford University. One of Britain's outstanding physical chemists, he has made researches

into the mechanism of chemical reactions which are characterized b.y simple b u t exact experimental methods. His ta lent for clear presentation of his subject is apparent in his books, the best-known of which is "Kinetics of Chemical Change , " first published in 1926. He became a fellow of Balliol College, Oxford, in 1920 and a fellow and tutor of Trini ty College in 1921. In 1929 he was elected a fellow of t he Royal Society and received t h e D a v y Medal in 1942. Ba Société Chim­ique de France awarded him its Lavoisier Medal in 1935.

At the close of the president 's address Raymond Deiaby, president of the Chem­ical Society of France (founded 1857), speaking in behalf of all the delegates from overseas, congratulated the society on the achievement of its hundredth anni­versary. Following Professor Deiaby ' s address representatives of approximately 30 countries presented written addresses of congratulations which were received b y the president. The formal wri t ten greet­ing from the AMERICAN CHEMICAL S O ­

CIETY was presented by W. Albert Noyes, Jr., President of the SOCIETY. The A M E R ­

ICAN C H EM IC A L SOCIETY was officially

represented in addition to Dr . Noyes by Secretary Alden H. Emery and Col. Mar-ston T . Bogert, president of the In terna­tional Union of Chemistry.

T h e president of the Royal Society, Sir Robert Robinson, who was president of the Chemical Society in 1941, then greeted the society in behalf of sister societies in the United Kingdom, and his speech was followed by the presentation of writ ten addresses by representatives of 40 of the leading societies in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The president then read a telegram of congratulations from his Majesty , King George VI, after which the proceedings were concluded by a for­mal adjournment ainï a procession out of die Great, l iai! by the platform par ty and the delegates

At a luncheon which immediately fol­lowed, given in honor of the overseas dele­gates by His Majesty's Government , Her­bert Morrison, Lord President of the Coun­cil, s ta ted that the modern world required that the t ime lag between discovery and application must be as short as possible.

' ' The quicker the gap can be bridged," he declared, " t he more rapidly can the army of progress advance. Those nat ions which are the first to bridge these gaps become the industrial leaders of the world."

Attlee Addresses Dinner

T h e social highlight of the four-day celebration was the centenary dinner held in the Dorchester Hotel on Tuesday evening, with the Prime Minister, t he R t . Hon. Clement R. Attlee, and Mrs. Attlee present.

" A n y revolutionary changes brought about and conceived by m y friends and myself," said Mr. Attlee, "pale into insig­nificance compared with the revolutions brought about by the chemists ." λ!ι\ At t -lee's further remarks t h a t chemists are great revolutionists yet frequently sup­port the Conservative P a r t y provoked

ftlarstori T. Bogert and Maj. Gen. Alden II. Waitt The lit. lion. C. II. Attlee and Dr. Ilinshelicood

2200 C H E M I C A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G N E W S

n<,tJ -%

Eric K. Rideal speaking on the work of the Royal Insti­tution in physicfil chemistry; and N. V. Sidgwick

Sir Henry Tizard; and Tom Sidney Moore, co-author of the book of the Chemical Society prepared for the celebrations

great laughter, and the exclusively Brit­ish "Hear! Hear!" could be heard in all parts of the huge banquet hall.

"I t was not enough only for the govern­ment to take heed of science," the Prime Minister added. "I t is necessary for the industrialists to take heed. This old country is not effete. It has plenty of good brains and plenty of inventions." He also remarked that he was under the impression that in the past several out­standing discoveries in pure science by British scientists had been first exploited industrially and commercially elsewhere and that he hoped such instances would not be repeated in the future. Mr. Attlee paid glowing tribute to the work of chem­ists the world over in making possible higher standards of living and better health and longer life, politician too much," the politician thinks he has the proper solutions in hand the chemist comes along with a revolutionary ne*v idea that al­ters entirely existing conditions."

Professor Hinshelwood in responding thanked Mr. Attlee for his S3rmpathetic and thorough understanding of the work of the chemist.

Other speakers included L. Ruzicka,

'Do not blame the he said, "for when

Sir Henry Tizard, and the Rt. Hon. Viscount Samuel. Lectures

Two lectures were given on Wednes­day morning, July ΙβΓ " C h e m i c a l Pe r sona l i t i e s a Century Ago," by J. Read, at the Institution of Civil Engineers, with F. G. Don nan in the chair, and "The Work of the Royal Institution in Physi­cal Chemistry in Great Britain," by Eric K. Rideal, in the famous lecture hall of the Royal Institution, with N. V. Sidgwick acting in the capacity of chairman. With the aid of several assistants Professor Rideal reproduced many of the notable ex­periments performed in the laboratories of the Royal Institution, in many instances employing the original apparatus.

The Faraday Lecture was, of course, one of the chief highlights of the centenary celebrations. The eighteenth Faraday

The Rt. Hon. Viscount Samuel, speaking at the dinner

Lecture of the society was clelievered on Wednesday, July 16, in the Central Hall by Sir Robert Robinson, president of the Royal Society. In a masterly fashion the speaker discussed his work and the work of many other scientists in the develop­ment of electrochemical theories of the course of reactions of carbon com­pounds.

Preceding Sir Robert Robinson's lec­ture several internationally recognized

{Continued on page 220S)

The Centenary Dinner at the Dorchester Hotel

assigned immediately to purely military matters. A key to more efficient utiliza­tion appears to lie in bet ten· placement of personnel who are in the orgEunized reserve". Other men were lost to important produc­tion front jobs when they enlisted or accepted commissions becainse they felt it was their patriotic duty orfbecause of the attitude assumed by some draft boards.

Approximately 78% of tine members re­porting military service Fere below 35 years of age, and of these, ibLmost 50% re­port improper utilization. About 25% of those in the 35 years and o\er group report

improper utilization. This may be corre­lated with educational level, since a much larger percentage of Ph.D.'s is included in the older age group. In all, the poll indi­cated that almost 40% of those in military service were improperly used in regards to their scientific training, yet in February of 1942 Secretary of War Stimson stated:

"The army is greatly in need of men of specialized training, particularly in phys­ics, chemistry, engineering, and medicine. We are equally interested in having ade­quate numbers of men of such training available to war production industries and

T h e C h e m i c a l S^ociety

(Continued fro?n pape 220Ï)

chemists were formally admitted to the Society and signed the Obligation Book, including Linus C. Pauling;, who also was among those who received (Ike honorary de­gree of doctor of science ^honoris caiisa) from the University of London at a cere­mony held in the evening.

Following the Faraday Lecture Professor Hinshelwood presented theuTaraday Medal to Sir Robert Robinson. Professor Hin­shelwood stated that he need not elaborate on the accomplishments o»f the medalist, that the fact that his niume is now en­rolled along with such otlaer medalists as Hofmann, Mendeleev, Lord Rayleigh, Ostwald, Fischer, RichartHs, Bohr, Lang-muir, and others is sufficient evidence of the esteem with whiclu Sir Robert is held by contemporary chemists.

Parties and Tours Numerous social functiions were a de­

lightful part of the memon-able Centenary Celebrations. His MajesUy's Government on Thursday afternoon Leld a garden party at Lancaster Hous*e with Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Morrison receiving the fel­lows of the Chemical Society and members of the Xl th International Congress of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The same day delegates to the Cein-tenao^ Celebra­tions and distinguished vitsitors from over­

seas were received at the Royal Institution by Lord Rayleigh, president of the Royal Institution, and Lady Rayleigh. At 8:30 P.M. a reception was held by the Royal Society ήη Burlington House, with the guests received by Sir Robert Robinson and Lady Robinson. On Wednesday evening, July 16, Imperial Chemical In­dustries, Ltd., held a large reception in the Connaught Rooms on Great Queen St. These and other functions created the opportunity for the chemists attend­ing to meet informally amid comfortable surroundings and to exchange interna­tional viewpoints at a most critical period in world history. On Tuesday afternoon a luncheon for ladies accompanying overseas delegates was arranged by the ladies' committee at the Rembrandt Hotel in South Kensington. On Wednesday eve­ning the women chemists and a number of wives of distinguished visitors dined at the women chemists' dining club at Crosby Hall and then proceeded to the ICI reception.

Several laboratory and plant visits were held, including the British Drug Houses, Ltd., the Distillers'" Co., Ltd., Epsom, Kodak, Ltd., Harrow, the Wellcome Re­search Institute, Beckenham, the Chemi­cal Research Laboratory of the Depart­ment of Scientific and Industrial Research at Teddington, and the Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at East Green­wich.

civilian research agencies." And men were still being drafted from essential war industries, even though as early as 1941 the demand for chemists exceeded the supply by 2,000, according to a survey conducted by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY.

The results of this poll clearly indicated that a large portion of our scientific man­power was not efficiently utilized. If re­sults from other scientific groups bear out the results of the ACS poll, and there ap­pears to be no reason why they should not, they will clearly demonstrate the need for some action to prevent the recurrence of such .waste of technological manpower in the event of a future emergency. Through the data gained in polls of this type, a basis can be obtained for intelligent action.

The more than 3,000 chemists and chem­ical engineers who attended the Centenary Celebrations of the Chemical Society from practically every country of the world will long remember the warm hospi­tality of the officials and fellows of the society. I t is upon such foundations that science progresses a t an international level and the cause of world peace is erected.

In concluding this report of the Centen­ary Celebrations, I give an excerpt from the address of Sir Harold Hartley, deliv­ered at a joint meeting of the Royal So­ciety of Arts with the Chemical Society held on Feb. 19, 1947, to commemorate the centenary of the foundation of the Chemical Society and published in full in the Journal of the Royal Society of Arts.

And I cannot help reflecting on the con­trast between this record of achievement and the sorry state of the world today. Is it not paradoxical that with the under­standing we have won of nature's secrets, with our power to control nature in ac­tion, that the majority of mankind should still be suffering from malnutrition and many from endemic disease? This seems to me a challenge to science and not least to chemists. Is sufficient effort being de­voted to the application of the knowledge we already possess? What should be the priorities? How can we ensure that the same concerted effort is made to use that knowledge for the peace and contentment of the world as made it such a potent fac­tor in the war? That is the thought I would leave with you at the beginning of our second century.

2> 03 C H E M I C A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G N E W S

T a b l e VII.

U T I L I Z A T I O N 1 2 3 4 5

T o t a l % of t o t a l

r e p o r t i n g

1

3 4 5

T o t a l % of t o t a l

r e p o r t i n g

Utilization o f Chemica l Trainirij

D o c t o r s % oieed.

No. level 76 33 9 33 14 7 35 15(f) 29 13 CO 51 22.S-

224

7 . 1

167 52 7 54 1 7 GO 45 14.2" 25 7.2) 26 S,2

317

3 7 . 2

B E L O W • 3 5 Y E A R S M a s t e r s

% o f « d . N o . level 120

79 123

98 178

5 9 8

I S . 9

3 5 Y 70 27 3 5 24 24

180

2 1 . 2

2 0 . 1 1 3 . 2 2 0 . 5 1 6 . 4 2 9 . 8

EARS AND Ο 3 8 . 9 1 5 . 0 1 9 . 5 1 3 . 3 1 3 . 3

O F g a n d E:

A C E Ba7

No. 4 1 6 2 5 4 5 0 2 4 1 1 7 5 1

2 . 3 3 4

7 4 . 0

LI)EH 1 2 0

5 8 6 6 44 6 6

3 5 4

4 1 . 6

Kperience

h el o r s % of ed .

l eve l 1 7 . 8 10 9 2 1 . 5 1 7 . 6 3 2 2

3 3 9 1 0 . 4 I S . 6 1 2 . 5 1 8 . 6

by Age

N o . 613 3 7 0 663 54 1 9 8 3

3 ,170

78

357 139 146 94

117

S53

2 1 . 2

G r o u p s

ToTâl % of a g e

g r o u p

1 9 . 3 11 . 7 20 9 17 1 3 1 8

4 1 . 9 1 6 . 3 17. 1 11 0 1 3 . 7

Table VIII. CAST Ρ

29 years under

30 years over

All ages

, Navy

and and

. Ed V , ΟΓ

u c a l i o n in Service other technical courses)

H A D T E C H N I C A L

C O U R S E S W H I L E IX S E R V I C E

%of No. total

1,024 694

1,718

23.2 15.7 3o.9

D I D N O T H A V E

TECHNICAL COURSES WHILE: Ι Χ SERVICE

% o f No. total

1,139 1,380 2,699

29 .9 31 .2 61 .1