Polytechnic High School - Polytechnic Student Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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DR. CARL ANDERSON

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V. V - orewor The Polytechnic Student of 1934 has a unique opportunity of calling the attention of its read- ers to the remarkable work being done in science. By dedicating this issue of the year book to Dr. Carl D. Anderson, the editors have expressed their admiration of one who is a graduate of their school, and they are also in- dicating an appreciation of the wide field of scientific discovery and its possible furtherance of the well-being of mankind. Not every student finds his life interest and recognizes it as early as the high school period. If he does, it is evident that he has a natural gift for creative work in the field chosen. But the institution which in any way encourages this inborn ability and furthers its expression feels a natural pride in the success of its efforts. So Polytechnic High School rejoices to have helped a gifted student. Dr. Anderson entered Polytechnic High School in 1918, at the age of 13, and enrolled in the Electrical Engineering Course. He was a thoughtful, earnest student, but quiet, even retiring, more of an observer than an active participant in school affairs, though he was always ready to do his part when called upon. He was graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 1927, obtained his degree of Ph.D. in 1930, and was appointed assistant pro- fessor in physics in 1933. His most important discoveries have been made while collaborating with Dr. Millikan in research work on cosmic rays. He has reached out into what seems al- most infinitude and has brought us knowledge in regard to the nature of these rays that opens a new field for scientific investigation. The dedication of this book to Dr. Anderson is an expression of high regard for a graduate of the school whose achievements are of im- portance to the whole world. W. A. Dunn

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Dr. Anderson and His Work The work of Dr. Carl D. Anderson, in the Norman Bridge Laboratory of Physics at the California Institute of Technology, is note- worthy. Under the direction of Dr. R. A. Milli- kan, Nobel Laureate and head of the Institute, he and his associates have unravelled much of the mystery which surrounds the little-known cosmic rays. It was while working with these rays that Dr. Anderson, in 1932, discovered the positron, which is one of the fundamental par- ticles of matter. This discovery is ranked among the most important contributions of the twenti- eth century to science. At present Dr. Anderson is studying the results of the countless impacts between cosmic rays and atoms. When a cosmic ray, coming from the far-away regions of space, passes through any material substance, large numbers of electrons and positrons are shot out of the exploding atoms which were struck by the ray. These particles have greater speeds than any other particles known to science, very closely approaching the speed of light, which is 186,000 miles per second. Dr. Anderson has developed a large and powerful apparatus in which the paths of these particles can be seen. In order to measure their velocities, an electro-magnet consuming seven hundred horsepower of elec- trical energy is used. The apparatus is also equipped with a camera which automatically photographs the path of an electron or positron. As a man Dr. Anderson is extremely quiet and modest, so unassuming in his manners that one would never suspect his international repu- tation. These qualities, as well as his keen in- tellect and finished technique, have made this youthful doctor of philosophy and assistant professor of physics well liked both by the students and the faculty of the California Institute. Eugene Stones, Polytechnic High School, S ' 33 California Institute of Technology, S ' 37