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

Science at New Crossroads New Era of Invention Foreseen By President of RCA in Boston University Address — He Envisages Capsules of Nuclear Energy Making Possible Pocket-Size Radio and Television Sets. MERE specks of radioactive material from nuclear fission may serve as the power for radio and television receiving sets, as well as for broadcasting stations in the future, David Sarnoff, Pres- ident and Chairman of the Board, Radio Corporation of America, de- clared at Boston University during Founders' Day ceremonies, on March 12. The honorary degree of Doctor of Commercial Science was conferred upon General Sarnoff. In an address entitled "Science at New Crossroads," he said that the potentialities for scientific de- velopment and beneficent use of atomic energy are unlimited. "A miniature power supply in capsule form may make possible radio receivers no larger than a wrist watch, and tiny television sets to be carried in the pocket like a camera," he declared. "When this day comes, people also may carry pocket-size radiophones that will enable them to communicate with home or office, no matter where they are." Although these fascinating pos- sibilities are not just "around the corner," General Sarnoff pointed out, we shall see these promises ful- filled if the world is at peace and science is unfettered. Beyond to- day's horizon, he said, automobiles, tractors, airplanes, locomotives and ships also may be powered by small capsules of nuclear energy. Opportunities in New Era "So clear are our opportunities in this new era—if we intelligently accept the challenge," declared Gen- eral Sarnoff, "that they pi'omise to dwarf the wonders we have wit- nessed in the past fifty years. Yes, in the past five centuries! Ines- capably, the future of the world and of civilization is linked with atomic energy. When science re- leases that power, and society learns how to control it properly, it will start a universal chain re- action that is bound to affect sig- nificantly the political, social and economic life of people every- where." Changes are destined to come in the Atomic Age, he said, that will make the revolutions caused by steam, electricity and electronics seem simple by comparison. "Atomic energy is not merely a new laboratory domain of the sci- entist," he continued. "It will spread into many phases of our life; into the human body and the home, as well as into industry. Therefore, every citizen should be interested in it; every student should learn all he can about this great new force and educators should impart to the public mind the importance of the atom and its possibilities. An informed and ac- tive public opinion by freedom- loving people can help to direct the new forces of science toward peace and prosperity. "Science is at new crossroads. We, the people, stand there, too. Humanity and the destiny of fu- ture generations depend on the turn we take at this crucial fork in the road of Time." General Sarnoff sounded a warn- ing, asserting that mankind has reached the point where it cannot afford "the costly consequences of skepticism and indifference" with respect to inventions and discover- ies of science, lest such a discovery as atomic energy be turned to evil rather than constructive purpose. "The big black headlines, which in 1945 introduced the world at large to atomic energy," he said, "remain vivid in the memory of all of us. While war raged, this new force came upon the world packed in a bomb that blasted and shat- tered two cities. Atomic energy at the outset was linked with death and destruction. Its potentialities for good were overshadowed by the terror that it struck. SCIENTISTS AT KCA LABORATORIES RE- MOVE A VIAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL FROM A SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR USE IN RESEARCH PROJECTS. 14 RADIO AG E]