University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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D D I. HARLEN BRETZ Profe.r.mr of Geoloyy Enwm B. Fizosr Prafc.v.mr of !l.fIroplzy.rif.r THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES .. GEOLOGY...PALEONTOLOGY ASTRONOMY .. Geologists of the University whose in- vestigations in the past have carried them far afield found, in at least two in- stances, the materials for valuable work without venturing far out of the city limits. Under the direction of Har- len Bretz, best known among under- graduates as an instructor of great abil- ities, an intensive geological survey of the Chicago region was brought to com- pletion. At the same time, Dr. Carey Croneis acted in an advisory capacity in the installation of geological exhibits in the new lyluseum of Science and Indus- try. Other workers in Rosenwald, Ed- son S. Bastin and R. T. Chamberlin, worked on materials collected by Held expeditions during the summer. Pro- fessor Chamberlin developed geophysi- cal concepts of the mountain-making processes displayed in the Rockies, and Professor Bastin studied the ores of a number of the mining districts of liex- ico. ln nearby VValker Kluseum Alfred S. Romer, paleontologist, continued his tedious work of preparing and classify- ing remains of Permian vertebrates col- lected by the Department's South Afri- can expedition. With a full understand- ing of the specimens he was in a position to recreate for the first time a previously unknown chapter in evolutionary his- tory. The Astronomers at Yerkes Observa- tory conducted a very extended investi- gation of the double star Epsilon Auri- gae which makes a complete rotation every twenty-seven years. Thus, once during this period, one star revolves about the other producing an eclipse. This phenomenum occurred two years ago and the results of this event are now about to be published by the University Press. These records have been com- piled by Professors Frost, Struve and Elvey. Other interesting projects now being studied are the rotation of the stars and their speed of axial rotation. Professor Struve, the fourth generation of a fam- ily of astronomers, and Professor Elvey are particularly interested in this work. Professor Frost, leading authority on astrophysics, is well-known for his work at Yerkes Observatory. Page 22

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U U THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES ....COSMlC RAYS... instruction and research was able to de- vote some of his time to a study of the spectrum of light atoms in extreme ultra- violet light. A research project which attracted world-wide attention during the year was the cosmic ray investigation conducted by Nobel Prize VVinner Ar- thur H. Compton. Dr. Compton car- ried on preliminary measurements of the intensity and variation of these short wave rays during the summer in Colo- rado and Switzerland. Prime object of these investigations was to determine if possible the origin of the cosmic rays. In that fact would lie, many physicists believed, the clue as to whether the universe is growing or disintegrating, and of more economic significance the preliminary step for the ultimate release of atomic energy. In the proof or disproof of the theory advanced by British scientists and origi- nated in part by W. D. McMillan, that the universe is dehnitely a disintegrating unit there were involved philosophical implications of profound influence. The scientists working in Kent Lab. were vitally interested in the educational departures inaugurated with the enter- JULIUS Sriacurz Profm-.vor and Chairfqan, Dejlartmenl of Chemistry .INSULIN .... ATOMS.. A . .ARTHUR -H. COMPTON Dzstznmzzxhfd Serfuzre Profexmf of Physics ing class. Professor Schlesinger, with Professor Lemon of the Physics Depart- ment, was designated by Dean Boucher to organize and direct the new general course in the Physical Sciences. Syllabi for the first year courses in general and elementary organic chemistry were pre- pared by Hermann Schlesinger, Mary M. Rising, W. C. Johnson, Adeline Link. In conection with the research of the department, Professor Kharasch pre- pared insulin of a very high degree of quality from its extracts, far more read- ily and simply than by older methods. He also obtained very interesting results on the effects of traces of iron and cop- per in cell activity. Professor Harkins proved that emulsions of oil in water are kept stable by a film of molecules surrounding the droplets, which has a thickness of only one molecule. Pro- fessor Stieglitz, a member of the original University faculty and an international- ly famed chemist, continued his investi- gations concerning the electronic insta- bility of specihc atoms, and molecular instability which led to molecular rear- rangements. Page 21

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GRIFHTH TAYLOR Prafesxor of Geography GILBERT A. Buss Profrrsof and Chazrmaa, Dz'fJa1'lmenl of Mailzemalzcs THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES HGEOGRAPHY . The activities of University Geogra- phers ranged from the reorganization of educational methods at home, to the conduct of research in the field in dis- tant areas of the world. ln Rosenwald Hall, Chairman Harlan H. Barrows brought to completion his comprehensive study of the character of the graduate training provided by the University. It was especially significant that this de- partment, which has stood out for years as foremost of its kind in the country, was thus alert to any new opportuni- ties for improvement of its work. That such improvements were taking place was demonstrated by the sophomore course in geography developed by Wel- lington Jones, and the first American course in the geography of the Soviet Lands offered by John Nlorrison. At the same time, others in the de- partment carried on and published the results of detailed field investigations. Griffith Taylor, authority on Austral- asia and Antarctic regions, made recon- naissance studies in southeastern Europe and advanced the case for scientific na- tion planning in a paper before the Brit- ish Association. Henry lVl. Leppard di- MATHEMATICS.. rected a series of intensive investigations of British industrial and agricultural areas, and brought back with him valu- able additions to the University Map Division. Charles C. Colby tested cer- tain aspects of reconnaissance technique employed by the department with an ex- perimental traverse across the southwest- ern U. S. Publications of these men dur- ing the year included Taylorls Climate of Australia, Colby and Foster's Eco- nomie Geography for Secondary Schools, and several detailed reports by Robert S. Platt on Held studies in South Amer- ica. Over in Eckhart, Gilbert Bliss, Chair- man of the Department of Mathematics, had much to be proud of during the year. In the first place, National Research Council fellowships were awarded to eleven University of Chicago graduates. This exceedingly large number chosen from one institution was definite proof of the superior quality of instruction provided. ln the second place, Dr. Bliss edited Contrilmlions to the Calrulus of Variafion and thus saw public recogni- tion come to the important work of some of his more advanced students. Page 23