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The Economics of High-Speed Photography
By A. C. KELLER
The economics of the use of high-speed photography in research and development work are discussed. High-speed photography is a relatively new tool for engineers which can be used to measure mechanical or electrical effects or both at the same time. Examples are given which illustrate the savings in engineering manpower as well as in materials, devices and systems.
I
T is A PLEASURE to accept the invitation of your Chairman to discuss some economic aspects of high-speed photography. Bell Telephone Laboratories, of which I am a member, is, as you know, a research and development organization and, for this reason, I will cover the uses and the value of high-speed photography in this area and will take my illustrations from the communications field.
In addressing your Society, of which I have been a member for many years, I would first like to have you observe that it is a society of engineers. I would next like you to remember what the characteristics of an engineer are, particularly in contrast to those of the scientist, physicist, mathematician, etc. As you
Presented on October 8, 1952, as the keynote speech for the International Symposium on High-Speed Photography, at the Society's Convention at Washington, D.C., by A. C. Keller, Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc., 463 West St., New York 14, N.Y.
know, the engineer is indeed interested, and must be trained and informed in, scientific matters but he has an additional responsibility which is in his thoughts and actions at all times. This added characteristic of the engineer is his constant concern with the economic value of his activities. He always wants to know, and must know, whether his projects are sound economically.
In order for the engineer to determine the economic value of his work, he must have suitable "tools." The tools which an engineer uses are of many different kinds but none are more important than those which are used for measurement purposes. He must be able to measure many different things in many different ways in order to determine the relative economics of competing solutions of his problems.
Almost sixty years ago, Lord Kelvin discussed the importance of measurements as follows: "When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot
November 1952 Journal of the SMPTE Vol. 59
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