DR. C. J. DAVISSON 785 



around 100. While his health has been good, his store of energy has been 

 limited, and it has been necessary for him to husband it carefully. 



Davisson's modesty causes him to undervalue the importance and scope 

 of his contributions. This characteristic, the low level of his energy, and 

 the high standard he has always set for his work have combined to limit 

 the amount of his publication. His influence on science and technology gen- 

 erally has, therefore, not been at so high a level as it has attained within 

 the Laboratories, where his personal contact with individuals and their 

 work has been more effective than publication. 



In recognition of his constructive influence on the evolution of the basic 

 science programs of our laboratories and his contribution of important new 

 knowledge in the areas of thermionic emission, secondary electron emission, 

 electron diffraction, and electron optics, the editors and the editorial board 

 of The Bell System Technical Journal have invited members of our staff 

 whose work and careers have benefited through association with Davisson 

 to contribute papers to this issue of the Journal in celebration of his seven- 

 tieth birthday. 



