Promoting the Planck Club presents rich mini histories of selected scientists whose work led to radical and transformational discoveries, their background, the prevailing scientific environment, and the conditions that allowed for their success. The text provides a broad audience of students, scientists, engineers, economists, and policymakers with ways to ensure that we take all steps to protect the flow of unpredictable scientific discoveries that are necessary for sustained levels of growth as well as ways to ensure that all steps are taken to protect the flow of unpredictable scientific discoveries.
Table of Content
List of Posters ix
Foreword xi
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction 1
Chapter 1
Accidents, Coincidences, and the Luck of the Draw: How Benjamin Thompson and Humphry Davy Enabled Michael Faraday to Electrify the World 16
Chapter 2
Science, Technology, and Economic Growth: Can Their Magical Relationships Be Controlled? 27
Chapter 3
Max Planck: A Reluctant Revolutionary with a Hunger of the Soul38
Chapter 4
The Golden Age of Physics 50
Chapter 5
Oswald T. Avery: A Modest Diminutive Introverted Scientific Heavyweight 79
Chapter 6
Barbara Mc Clintock (1902-1992): A Patient, Integrating, Maverick Interpreter of Living Systems 89
Chapter 7
Charles Townes: A Meticulously Careful Scientific Adventurer 99
Chapter 8
Carl Woese: A Staunch Advocate for Classical Biology 110
Chapter 9
Peter Mitchell: A High-Minded Creative and Courageous Bioenergetics Accountant 126
Chapter 10
Harry Kroto: An Artistic and Adventurous Chemist with a Flair for Astrophysics 139
Chapter 11
John Mattick: A Prominent Critic of Dogma and a Pioneer of the Idea That Genomes Contain Hidden Sources of Regulation 158
Chapter 12
Conclusions: How We Can Foster Prosperity Indefinitely 174
Appendix 1
Open Letter to Research Councils UK from Donald W. Braben and Others Published in Times Higher
Education, November 5, 2009 194
Appendix 2
Global Warming: A Coherent Approach 197
References 201
Index 206
About the author
DONALD W. BRABEN, PHD, is an honorary professor at University College London, a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, and Founder of Venture Research International Ltd. He spent some 16years in particle physics, followed by spells in the Cabinet Officeand Science Research Council headquarters before beginning his longassociation with Venture Research in 1980. Dr. Braben is the authorof Scientific Freedom: The Elixir of Civilization and Pioneering Research: A Risk Worth Taking (both from Wiley).
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