SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
of thumb had carried many industries to extraordinary success in the 
past, but there came a time when rule of thumb failed to make advances, 
and when it became essential to know the scientific why and wherefore. 
One of the greatest chemical manufacturing magnates in the world 
declared in 1914—and the words were true to-day—that scientific 
research work carried out in the laboratory was the soul of industrial 
‘prosperity. In the past, it had been considered undignified for a pro- 
fessor to have something to do with trade, and many professors were 
bound by agreements which precluded them from any co-operation in 
trade work. <A professor might not approach that awful thing known 
as a “patent” without himself and his institution becoming defiled. 
He was, nevertheless, intrusted with the duty of training students 
who would go into the industrial world as scientists. It appeared 
that, through the research associations, this misunderstanding could 
be rectified, and that the association could provide the link that had 
been missing in the past from the educational chain in this country. 
AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS. 
For some time past there has been a movement in Great Britain 
for the foundation of an Institute of Physics. The movement has been 
successful, and the institute has now been launched. It was felt that 
some action was necessary to strengthen the position of workers engaged 
in physics, and which also form a bond between the various societies 
interested. One of the principal aims of the new institute will be to 
secure recognition of the position and the value of the physicist. The 
success of the scheme was due to the co-operation, in the first instance, 
of the Faraday Society, the Optical Society, and the Physical Society 
of London, and the first Board is constituted from representatives 
appointed by the councils of these societies. It is hoped that, in the 
course of time, other societies will associate themselves with the insti- 
tute. Members of the institute who are also members of more than 
one of the co-operating societies will obtain a reduction to the sub- 
scription of those societies. ‘There will be three classes of members: 
Ordinary members, Associates (A. Inst. P.), and Fellows (F. Inst. P.). | 
Only the two latter classes, membership of which will require full 
professional qualifications, will be corporate members. The institute 
has already received promises of support from leading physicists, and 
the initial expenses are covered by a guarantee fund amounting to 
over £1,200. The first President of the institute is Sir Richard Glaze- 
brook, K.C.B., F-R.S.; Sir Robert Hadfield, Bart., F.R.S., is treasurer; 
and Prof. A. W. Porter, F.R.S., honorary secretary. The other mem- 
bers of the Board are—Dr. H.S. Allen; Inst. Commander T. Y. Bakev, 
R.N.; Prof. F. J. Cheshire, C.B.E.; Dr. R. S. Clay; Mr. W. R. Cooper; 
Prof. W. H. Eccles; Major E. O. Henrici; Dr. C. H. Lees, F.R.S.; 
Mr. C. ©. Paterson, O.B.E.; Major C. E. S. Phillips; Dr. E. H. 
Rayner; Mr. T. Smith; and Mr. R. S. Whipple. Mr. F. 8. Spiers 
has been appointed secretary to the institute, and further particn- 
lars and forms of application for membership may be obtained from | 
him at 10 Essex-street, Strand, W.C., 2. 
396 
