Science and Industry

Abstract

THE Messel Memorial Lecture of the Society of Chemical Industry for 1938 was delivered by Dr. L. H. Baekeland on June 21. Dealing generally with "Science and Industry", Dr.L.H. Baekeland sketched more particularly the growth of chemical industry first in Europe and then in the United States. The value of chemical industry was only fully realized in the United States with the outbreak of the Great War, and Dr. Baekeland described how Mr. F. P. Garvan's appreciation of the dependence of the United States on Germany for dyes, intermediates, photographic chemicals, medicinals, etc., led him to organize the Chemical Foundation, of which he remained president until his death. Any bona fide American chemical manufacturer or company can become a stockholder, but can only subscribe for a limited number of shares. Every stockholder has the opportunity of acquiring licenses by paying royalties on any patents owned by the Foundation. The money thus collected is used for developing chemical education, research, and similar efforts for advancing knowledge in chemistry and for the development of chemical industries. Generous support is furnished to many societies for the advancement of science and industry and medical research. Garvan also recognized the possibility of much closer relations between chemical industries and agriculture, and instigated the formation of the National Farm Chemurgic Council to co-ordinate agriculture, industry and science. Few men, Dr. Baekeland considers, had more influence in the United States on science and industry than Mr. Garvan, and there is now a much wider appreciation of the importance of scientific research in industry.