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

Page 9 text:

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

Page 8 text:

DR. CARL ANDERSON

Page 10 text:

California Institute of Technolosy Driving along California Street in Pasadena, one ' s attention is irresist- ibly drawn to a group of impressive buildings surrounded by native oaks, the California Institute of Technology. Above it towers Mount Wilson, on which the world-famous observatory is located. In 1910 the Institute was organized to promote scientific research. Among the men who founded and made possible the maintenance of its high ideals of scholarship, the best known is Dr. Robert A. Millikan, head of the executive council. He was awarded the Nobel prize in physics in 1923. Dr. Millikan is world-famous both for his discovery of scien- tific data and for the remarkable way in which he has promoted research work in the Institute. Other distinguished scholars on the faculty are Dr. Thomas H. Morgan, who received the Nobel prize in medicine in 1933 and is the foremost authority on heredity in the world; Dr. Arthur A. Noyes, who was awarded the Davy medal of the Royal Society of London for his work in physical chemistry; and Dr. Paul S. Epstein, professor of mathematical physics. A fortunate visitor to Dr. Millikan ' s laboratories enters cautiously. As the door closes behind him, a strange feeling of having been cut off from the entire outside world envelopes him. It is an unreal and even terrifying sight for the uninitiated who must make his way carefully, warned by the constant signs of Danger, High Voltage. The room is alive with the hum of electricity and the excited voices of students enjoying themselves in the midst of strenuous work. As the visitor looks about, he notices the immense ge nerators and wires con- nected with buzzing motors among which the men move with an alarming nonchalance. These rooms have witnessed many wonderful results of study and experiment, the most spectacular of all being the 40-foot spark produced by the million-volt apparatus. The research work in aeronautics is particularly interesting to the air en- thusiast. In the building devoted to this work there is a large woodshop for the construction of airplanes, a section for the trying out of wings and fuse- lages, and a completely equipped laboratory for the testing of all classes of engines. But that which creates the most interest is the large wind tunnel having a velocity of over 100 miles per hour. The source of the power is a 500 horse-power direct current motor. There is a water channel 138 feet long which permits research on seaplane hulls, pontoons, and ship models. With these facilities and the inspiration of the splendid teaching staff, it seems likely that many of the problems of aeronautics will be solved. In all the laboratories the students work to prove the theories developed in the biological and physical sciences. Every department is provided with the most complete equipment known to science. An example is the machinery in- stalled in a specially constructed building on the campus for the grinding, polishing, and testing of the 200-inch lens to be brought to the Institute in the near future for the new telescope which is to supplement the work carried on in the Mount Wilson Observatory. It is not strange that man ' s ideas of the universe are constantly expanding, for this marvelous instrument will make