THE PAST YEAR WAS A STRONG ONE
1
CHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING NEWS DECEMBER 28, 1959 V O L . 3 7 , N O . 52 APPLIED JOURNALS, ACS 11 55 SIXTEENTH ST., N. W . WASHINGTON 6, D.C. Director of Publications: C. B. Larrabee Editorial Director: Walter J. Murphy 1943-1959 Executive Editor: James M. Crowe Assistant to the Director of Publications: J ose ρ Η Η . Kuney CHEMICAL A N D ENGINEERING NEWS Editor: Richard L. Kenyon Managing Editor: Robert F. Gould Assistant Managing Editor: Gordon H. Bixler EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON 6, D.C. 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Phone REpublic 7-3337 Teletype WA 23 News Editor: Kenneth M. Reese Associate Editors: George Β. Krantz, David E. Gushee, Ruth Cornette, Arthur Poulos Assistant Editors: Kathryn Campbell, Robert J. Riley, Robert J. Kelley, Donald J. Soisson, Mary Thompson, Richard T. Mitch Editorial Assistants: J. Howard Snoke, Pauline J. Fagan layout and Production: Joseph Jacobs (Art Director), Melvin D. Buekner (Art), Betty V. Kieffer, Clarence L. Rakow, C o l I is Campbell, John V. Sinnett BRANCH EDITORIAL OFFICES CHICAGO 3, ILL. Room 926 36 South Wabash Ave. Phone STate 2-5148 Teletype CG 725 Associate Editors: Howard J. Sanders, Chester Placelc Assistant Editor: James H. Krieger H O U S T O N 2 , T E X . "*" 718 Melrose Bldg. Phone FA!rfax 3-7107 Teletype HO 72 Associate Editor: Bruce F. Greek Assistant Editor: Earl V. Anderson NEW YORK 16, N.Y. 2 Park Ave. Phone ORegon 9-1646 Teletype NY 1-4726 Associate Editors: William Q. Hull, Harry Stenerson, David M. Kiefer, D. Gray Weaver, Walter S. Fedor, Laurence J. White Assistant Editor: Louis A. Agnello SAN FRANCISCO 4, CALIF. 703 Mechanics' Institute Bldg. 57 Post St. Phone EXbrook 2-2895 Tetetype SF 649 Associate Editor: Richard G. Newhall Assistant Editor: Joseph Sturehio EASTON, PA. 20th and Northampton Sts. Phone BLackburn 8-9111 Teletype ESTN Pa 7048 Associate Editor: Charlotte C. Sayre Assistant Editor: Joyce A. Richards Editorial Assistants: Elizabeth R. Rufe, Barbara A. Conover EUROPEAN OFFICE Bush House, Aldwych, London Phone Temple Bar 3605 C a b l e J I E C H E M Associate Editor: Albert S. Hester + Advisory Board: W. O. Baker, R. W. Cairns, Lawrence A. Coleman, C. C. Furnas, John L. Gillis, Lloyd A. Hall, R. E. Hulse, R. W. Mc- Namee, J. E. Magoffin, Theodore Mar- vin, C. G. Overberger, Glenn T. Seaborg, John C Sheehan, Hans Stauffer, Thomas H. Vaughn Advertising Management REINHOLD PUBLISHING CORP. (For List of Offices see page 109) The American Chemical Society assumes no responsi- bility for the statements and opinions advanced by con- tributors to its publications, views expressed in the edi- torials are those of the editors and do not necessarily repre- sent the official position of the American Chemical Society. THE PAST YEAR WAS A STRONG ONE WHAT KIND of year was 1959? Chemically, it was good. Industrially, profits were up, and so was production. In chemical research, progress was great- Scientific work brought to the U.S. most of the Nobel prizes for such acliievements. The arguments over education were so active that they are bound to lead to something better. Internationally, the chemical world drew closer together in its relations, and trade competi- tion grew hotter. In die world of chemists and chemical engineers, at least for the new graduates, economics continued to improve, as salaries for June gradu- ates rose an average of 3%, while cost of living went up 0.6^c. How- ever, the expressions of discontent were probably more widespread than in any single recent year. The unions were acutely observing of this and declared themselves more forcibly than ever on a campaign to unionize what are now considered professional people. A look both fore and aft ( to be published next week) by the editorial staff of CfidEN shows the chemical industry in its best business year yet. Records were set for sales and for profits. The steel strike caused a stumble, but the might of industrial growth was so great that it made of that stumble only a mild break in stride. The stride is so vigorous that it promises a new economic peak for at least die first half of 1960. Production levels also moved upward to cut away at existing over- capacity. Output rises in the stronger areas of the chemical process industries ranged from about 15% to alcove 30%. But capacity cer- tainly hasn't stopped growing» as construction starts were up 66% in 1959 over 195S. Research findings continued to open up and to develop interesting new areas. Impressive accomplishments were announced in fluorida- tion work, in free radical chlorination, and in what once was considered a rather obscure area, stereoisomerism. Stereospecific polymerization yielded commercial "synthetic natural* 8 ' rubber, and optically active stereosilicons are showing industrial promise. Semiconductor progress was prominent. Chemical research in the medicinal field brought basic research findings in the areas of leading causes of death—cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In other very important areas, which may be sligh&y less awesome in comparison, infectious diseases were set back considerably by new antibiotics, and pain-killers made further advances. ' Instrumentation is taking a place in the chemical industry beyond all but the most visionary predictions of 10 years ago. This past year saw computer control of chemical processes being instaUed in at least three plants. In science education, the battle continues over teaching cs. learning as the object of teacher training. But secondary school pupils are getting stronger training in basic sciences. The Government's rela- tionship to national education is a primary subject of concern. In fact, the Government's relationship to many areas was of growing concern in 1959 and was an important characteristic of the year. The high development and far reach of our communications system make public opinion at all levels more easily molded than ever before. Witness the handling of the cranberry sensation, the drug indmstry hearings, and the steel strike. The batde among industry, government, and labor will go on, with the sensitivity to public opinion of the leaders of each exerting greater influence on the decisions. In the coming Presidential election year, that battle will be at fever pitch.
Transcript of THE PAST YEAR WAS A STRONG ONE
CHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING
NEWS DECEMBER 2 8 , 1 9 5 9 V O L . 3 7 , N O . 5 2
APPLIED J O U R N A L S , A C S 1155 SIXTEENTH ST., N . W . W A S H I N G T O N 6 , D .C.
Director of Publications: C . B . Lar rabee Editorial Director: W a l t e r J . M u r p h y
1943-1959 Executive Editor: J a m e s M . C r o w e
Assistant to the Director of Publications: J ose ρ Η Η . K u n e y
CHEMICAL A N D ENGINEERING N E W S Editor: R i c h a r d L. K e n y o n
Managing Editor: R o b e r t F . G o u l d Assistant Managing Editor: G o r d o n H. B ix ler EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS W A S H I N G T O N 6, D .C . 1155 S ix teenth S t . , N . W . P h o n e REpubl ic 7-3337 T e l e t y p e W A 23
News Editor: K e n n e t h M . Reese Associate Editors: George Β. K r a n t z , D a v i d E . G u s h e e , R u t h Cornet te , A r t h u r P o u l o s Assistant Editors: K a t h r y n C a m p b e l l , R o b e r t J . R i l e y , Rober t J . Ke l ley , D o n a l d J . Soisson, M a r y T h o m p s o n , R i c h a r d T . M i t c h Editorial Assistants:
J . Howard S n o k e , P a u l i n e J . F a g a n layout and Production:
Joseph Jacobs ( A r t D i r e c t o r ) , M e l v i n D. Buekner ( A r t ) , B e t t y V . K ie f fe r , Clarence L. R a k o w , C o l I is C a m p b e l l , J o h n V. S i n n e t t
BRANCH EDITORIAL OFFICES C H I C A G O 3 , I L L . R o o m 926 3 6 S o u t h Wabash Ave . P h o n e STate 2-5148 T e l e t y p e C G 725
Associate Editors: Howard J . Sanders , C h e s t e r Placelc Assistant Editor: J a m e s H . K r i e g e r
H O U S T O N 2 , T E X . "*" 7 1 8 Melrose B l d g . P h o n e FA!rfax 3-7107 T e l e t y p e H O 72
Associate Editor: Bruce F . G r e e k Assistant Editor: Earl V . A n d e r s o n
N E W Y O R K 16, N . Y . 2 Park Ave. P h o n e ORegon 9-1646 T e l e t y p e N Y 1-4726
Associate Editors: W i l l i a m Q. H u l l , H a r r y S t e n e r s o n , Dav id M . Kiefer, D . G r a y W e a v e r , W a l t e r S . Fedor, Laurence J . W h i t e Assistant Editor: Louis A . A g n e l l o
S A N F R A N C I S C O 4, C A L I F . 703 Mechanics ' I n s t i t u t e B l d g . 5 7 Post St. P h o n e EXbrook 2-2895 T e t e t y p e S F 649
Associate Editor: R i c h a r d G . N e w h a l l Assistant Editor: Joseph S t u r e h i o
E A S T O N , P A . 2 0 t h a n d N o r t h a m p t o n S t s . P h o n e BLackburn 8-9111
T e l e t y p e E S T N P a 7048 Associate Editor: C h a r l o t t e C . Sayre Assistant Editor: Joyce A . R i c h a r d s Editorial Assistants: Elizabeth R. R u f e , B a r b a r a A . Conover
E U R O P E A N O F F I C E B u s h House, A l d w y c h , L o n d o n P h o n e T e m p l e B a r 3605 C a b l e J I E C H E M
Associate Editor: A l b e r t S . Hester + Advisory Board:
W . O . Baker, R. W . C a i r n s , L a w r e n c e A . Co leman, C . C . F u r n a s , J o h n L. G i l l i s , L loyd A. H a l l , R . E. H u l s e , R . W . M c -Namee , J . E. M a g o f f i n , T h e o d o r e M a r v in , C . G. Overberger , G l e n n T . Seaborg , J o h n C S h e e h a n , H a n s S t a u f f e r , T h o m a s H . V a u g h n
Advertising Management R E I N H O L D P U B L I S H I N G C O R P .
(For List of Of f ices see page 109) The American Chemical Society assumes no responsi
bility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors to its publications, views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society.
THE PAST YEAR WAS A STRONG ONE
W H A T KIND of year was 1959? Chemically, it was good. Industrially, profits were up, and so was production. In chemical research, progress was great- Scientific work brought to the U.S. most of the Nobel prizes for such acliievements. The arguments over education were so active that they are bound to lead to something better. Internationally, the chemical world drew closer together in its relations, and trade competition grew hotter.
In die world of chemists and chemical engineers, at least for the new graduates, economics continued to improve, as salaries for June graduates rose an average of 3%, while cost of living went up 0.6^c. However, the expressions of discontent were probably more widespread than in any single recent year. The unions were acutely observing of this and declared themselves more forcibly than ever on a campaign to unionize what are now considered professional people.
A look both fore and aft ( to be published next week) by the editorial staff of CfidEN shows the chemical industry in its best business year yet. Records were set for sales and for profits. The steel strike caused a stumble, but the might of industrial growth was so great that it made of that stumble only a mild break in stride. The stride is so vigorous that it promises a new economic peak for at least die first half of 1960.
Production levels also moved upward to cut away at existing overcapacity. Output rises in the stronger areas of the chemical process industries ranged from about 15% to alcove 30%. But capacity certainly hasn't stopped growing» as construction starts were up 66% in 1959 over 195S.
Research findings continued to open up and to develop interesting new areas. Impressive accomplishments were announced in fluoridation work, in free radical chlorination, and in what once was considered a rather obscure area, stereoisomerism. Stereospecific polymerization yielded commercial "synthetic natural*8' rubber, and optically active stereosilicons are showing industrial promise. Semiconductor progress was prominent.
Chemical research in the medicinal field brought basic research findings in the areas of leading causes of death—cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In other very important areas, which may be sligh&y less awesome in comparison, infectious diseases were set back considerably by new antibiotics, and pain-killers made further advances.
' Instrumentation is taking a place in the chemical industry beyond all but the most visionary predictions of 10 years ago. This past year saw computer control of chemical processes being instaUed in at least three plants.
In science education, the battle continues over teaching cs. learning as the object of teacher training. But secondary school pupils are getting stronger training in basic sciences. The Government's relationship to national education is a primary subject of concern.
In fact, the Government's relationship to many areas was of growing concern in 1959 and was an important characteristic of the year. The high development and far reach of our communications system make public opinion at all levels more easily molded than ever before. Witness the handling of the cranberry sensation, the drug indmstry hearings, and the steel strike. The batde among industry, government, and labor will go on, with the sensitivity to public opinion of the leaders of each exerting greater influence on the decisions. In the coming Presidential election year, that battle will be at fever pitch.
