Physical Science in Art and Industry

Abstract

IN a specialist age such as the present, there must be a grievous loss of that legitimate pleasure which derives from the possession of knowledge over a wide field of human endeavour. Again, it is clear that much needless duplication of effort is continually going on, because people wholly absorbed in prosecuting one particular quest (probably with great zeal and application) are partly or wholly ignorant of what others are doing in another sphere, and whose methods might readily be adapted with very little trouble. There seems to be no ready-made cure for this state of affairs. Experience shows that even the most watertight and elaborate system of cross-references to cognate subjects fails to inspire us with a keen desire to look over the wall into our neighbour's garden.

Physical Science in Art and Industry

By Dr. E. G. Richardson. Pp. xi + 293 + 6 plates. (London: English Universities Press, Ltd., 1940.) 15s. net.