THE PARADOX OF CHOICE 



26 



22 



o 



o 



X u ,8 





14 



10 



.05 



.35 



.40 



.10 .15 .20 .25 .30 



CONCENTRATION IN GMS/100ML 



Figure 4. Measurement of molecular weight of synthetic glob- 

 ular maeromolecule (polybutadiene microgel) by Debve relation. 

 The effect becomes larger the larger the molecule, and here a 

 value of 18.5 million was established. 



The significant point is, however, that during the decades 

 between the first consideration of Einstein of the remarkable 

 light scattering properties of fluids and the formulation of a 

 relatively finished theory by Debye, hundreds of men in 

 scores of places worked hard on trying to adapt existing em- 

 pirical methods to molecular weight determinations. The in- 

 dustrial and other laboratories which struggled with this prob- 

 lem had not succeeded in arousing genius like Debye's. Thus 

 experience accumulates on how basic research can, when the 

 proper situations are provided, influence immediately and 

 dramatically the course of applied science and the related 

 technology. And the thrift in achieving economic and social 

 gains resulting from providing such favorable research situa- 

 tions is remarkable. The conservation of resources and of mate- 

 rials achieved by operating on ideas instead of on empirical 

 and impulsive trials of hardware and (in the case of public 

 health), of human specimens, is huge. For contrast, Professor 

 T. C. Williams of Manchester noted recently: 



61 



