July/August 2026: Science history from 50, 100 and 150 years ago

July/August 2026: Science history from 50, 100 and 150 years ago

“In an open-pit uranium mine in the southeastern part of the Gabon Republic, near the Equator on the coast of West Africa, are the dormant remains of a natural fission reactor. Within a rich vein of uranium ore the natural reactor once ‘went critical,’ consumed a portion of its fuel and then shut down, all in Precambrian times.

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“The history of the natural reactor is an extraordinary sequence of seemingly improbable events. First, uranium from an entire watershed accumulated in concentrated local deposits, including one at a place now called Oklo. Then the conditions necessary to sustain the fission chain reaction were established. After the reactor had shut down, the evidence of its activity was preserved virtually undisturbed through the succeeding ages of geological activity. Finally, the discovery of the reactor involved an investigative tour de force worthy of the best sleuths in detective fiction.”

“Soap bubbles and soap films evoke a special fascination. Their shifting iridescence, their response to a puff of air, their fragility—all contribute to their charm. More captivating still is the exquisite perfection of their geometry, the absolute smoothness of their forms. What are the principles that enable soap bubbles and soap films to exist in certain geometric configurations and not in others? What are the possible shapes they can assume?

“Recently we have been able to show that three basic rules governing the geometry of soap bubbles and soap films are a mathematical consequence of a simple area-minimizing principle.”

“This is the age of diplomacy. The polished sword has been supplanted by the polished word. The terrifying growls of anger have yielded place to the soothing words of tact. A careful study of the qualities of the so-called successful man will reveal in nine cases out of 10 that his success depends not on the deep and profound something which puzzles the brains of the average man, but on the simple and more superficial something which pleases the understanding of the common folk. It is that congenial something which I have defined as ‘social intelligence,’ or the ability to get along with people; while the profound something, I define as ‘abstract intelligence,’ or the ability to deal with ideas.”

“‘Garabed’ is a new word which bids fair to enter the language. A definition of it might be ‘scientific hokum in support of which political pressure is brought to bear.’ Garabed is the name Garabed T. K. Giragossian gives to his alleged ‘free energy generator’ or illimitable source of power. Eight years ago he succeeded in having Congress pass a measure agreeing to give him extraordinary privileges if he could prove his claims. For Congress to lend an ear to Giragossian’s fantastic scheme establishes a dangerous precedent. It opens the door to any charlatan who seeks to ignore the orderly process of government.”