50 Years Ago

Atomic Quest: A Personal Narrative.

By Dr. Arthur Holly Compton. — Prof. Compton describes in great detail the agonizing discussions which went on among the scientists of the Metallurgical Laboratory and Los Alamos during 1945 as to whether the bomb should be used against the Japanese. The discussions were brought to the attention of the Secretary of State for War, Mr. Stimson, who appointed a representative 'Interim Committee' to advise him. At this point General Marshall stated that he would advise against its use in the war provided its existence could be kept secret. The general opinion was, however, that it would not be possible to keep its existence secret. A proposal to make a non-military demonstration likely to bring an end to the war was also thought to be impossible. After this, a poll of a hundred scientists of the Metallurgical Laboratory brought an 87 per cent vote in favour of its military use. The decision was taken by President Truman on the advice of Mr. Stimson... Prof. Compton believes that the use of the bomb saved a very large number of lives, since he does not believe that the Japanese would have surrendered without bitter fighting in the next landings. J. D. Cockcroft

From Nature 2 February 1957.

100 Years Ago

Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, in an article entitled “Creation by Law,” contributing to the Quarterly Journal of Science in October, 1867, alluded to a Madagascar orchis (Angraecum sesquipedale) with a nectary varying in length from 10 inches to 14 inches, and prophesied that a hawk-moth will be discovered with a tongue of equal length to fertilise it... Will someone kindly tell me if this prophecy had been fulfilled? E. W. Swanton

I have not heard of any moth from Madagascar with an exceptionally long proboscis. I think, however, I did hear of one from East Africa with a proboscis nearly the length required. Alfred Russel Wallace

From Nature 31 January 1907.