Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

FUTURE LINKED TO SCIENCE Achievements of Physical Science Must Not be Blamed for the Ills and Evils in the World. Sarnoff Says in University of Air Program RECOGNIZING that both phys- , ical and social science weave the pattern of our civilization, David Sarnoff, President of Radio Corporation of America, participat- ing on the "For This We Fitrht" program of the NBC Inter-Amer- ican University of the Air, June 12, directed his discussion on the role of physical science as an influence that shapes the future. Emphasizing the fact that it is not only the rate at which science brings changes, but the rate at which man's mind accepts those changes that is extremely import- ant, Mr. Sarnoff pointed out that achievements of physical science create new social problems which in turn call for new solutions by so- ciety. One of the reasons for the difficulties in which humanity finds itself today is that progress of so- cial science has lagged behind phys- ical science, he said. Therefore, physical science is not to be blamed for the ills and evils that have be- fallen the world. "When science is guided by the true spirit of man, it triumphs," said Mr. Sarnoff. "When comman- deered bv the evil-doer, it fails be- cause justice is not on that side. Those who brought war against the United Nations have applied sci- ence to destruction. They have attempted to make men behave as electrons. We use science to regi- ment electrons, but not to regiment the minds of men. "Powerful as a weapon of war on the side of .Justice, and priceless as an instrument of Peace, science shapes our destiny. On scattered battlefronts, on land, on sea, and in the air, science is enlisted in the drive to Victory. Behind the battle- lines, in the research laboratories of America, scientists are forging new ideas in the white heat which war applies to invention. For every new idea, and every new instrument produced, there is but one test— what can it do to help win the war quickly? Today, the flame of sci- ence burns under one crucible—the crucible of Victory. "When the day of that triumph dawns over the United Nations, out of the vanishing clouds of war will arch a rainbow of promise project- ed by science. It will blend from the darkness of the passing storm into the sunshine of a bright future achieved by those who have fought for justice, freedom and faith. Sci- ence is a hope of civilization." While science is a powerful fac- tor in the conduct of this war, science will be more powerful in winning the peace, Mr. Sarnoff de- clared, because wartime develop- ments in electricity and electronics, physics and chemistry, metallurgy and medicine, will be converted into the triumphs of peace. The new in- struments and synthetic materials developed for war are foreseen as invaluable aids in reconstruction and rehabilitation, and in strength- ening international goodwill and understanding. "While it is true that the perpe- trators of this war have perverted science to diabolical use, it is also true that science is a powerful force in preventing the triumph of evil." Mr. Sarnoff continued. "Those who took up the sword in an attempt to live and conijuer by it, erroneously believed that by diverting science to warfare they could wage hostil- ities successfully even on a global scale. They took radio and the air- plane, both invented for peaceful pursuits, and sought to use these swift agencies of science to cover a vast battlefield in the hope of a quick victory. They believed that they had science as their ally on a world-wide front. But they have discovered that science is not the exclusive agent for the forces of Jlight. Science can fight on the side of Right, and be the ally of Justice. "American research and ingenu- ity were challenged by nations which had adapted American in- ventions to war and destruction. But America which created them, harnessed them to Victory on a scale undreamed of by the enemy. In this war, America is now the center of war production. It is the radio-electronic center of the world. America will be equally (juick to shift its wartime scientific achievements to help the world at peace. "We have learned from the peace- time recoi'ds of aviation that the airplane is more than a fuselage propelled through space. It is sci- ence on the wing. Science is the soul of the plane. Were it not for research and engineering, aircraft could not climb into the strato- sphere to win Victory. Nor, with- out radio, could hundreds of bomb- ers dive at targets in the darkness with split-second precision to de- stroy the malignant forces that would obliterate civilization and with it the progress of science it- self. In our bombers, on board the convoy, in the submarines, on battleships, in tanks and afoot with the infantry, the products of sci- ence are on constant guard to pro- tect our future. "One of the master keys of sci- ence—the radio-electron tube—is helping to open the way to Vic- tory," said Mr. Sarnoff. "Every- where—whether in the South Pa- cific or over the Mediterranean, on the Atlantic-Pacific sea-lane or on the Russian front—this magic tube is on duty. It is an eternal light. . . . Electrons are no longer confined to wires. They are free to work in a vacuum. Their activity within radio tubes has an influence that extends across the boundless uni- verse. In the conquest of space, science shapes our future." Sponsors NBC Symphony Alfred P. Sloan. Jr., chairman of the General Motors Corporation, and Niles Trammell, president of the National Broadcasting Com- pany, announced on July 1 that the NBC Symphony Orchestra's Sun- day broadcasts under the batons of Arturo Toscanini, Leopold Stokow- ski and Frank Black will be spon- sored on the full NBC network for a year by General Motors. First broadcast under the General Mo- tors banner will be on Sunday, Au- gust 1, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., EWT. Since its formation six years ago, the NBC Symphony has been a sus- taining public service feature. RADIO AGE 3 1]