Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-05-05
RESEARCH WORK
INTERESTING TO
MOSTLAYMEN

CAMBRIDGE, Mass, May 5.--The type
of scientific research going on here at
! the Massachusetts Institute Of Technol-
ogy is enlightening to the average lay
man, who imagines the work of the re-
search scientists TO be highly interesting
If you know what it's all about, but OF
little practical value to anybody.
There is a quality to the work turned
out by the scientists that strikes home-
For instance, the average human is a
coffee drinker, and while he might find
the Einstein theory a trife dull, he Is
interested to learn that since 1920 two
full-time chemists, one pharmacologist
and several assistants have been expert
menting in the department Of biology
and public health to determine the best
methods of preparing coffee as bev-
erage and also to analyze the physiology
cal effect Of coffee on the system.
The scientists have discovered that
none but glass or porcelain pots are he
for making coffee worthy Of the name.
The apparatus used by them IN making
the perfect cup Of coffee is fearsome to
behold. Retorts, coils, condensers and
myriad Of tubes are connected together
and the coffee that is concocted in this
outfit is believed to be the best cup
ever brewed. Complete results viii be
announced Later when the work Is I'M
,shed.
A SQUAD Of women employees Of the In
gtitute assemble every noontime and ara
given two cups of the beverage. one
brewed from one grade and the other
from another. They are expected to hle
their opinions on the two cups and these
opinions are considered in passing JudS-
ment on quality.
Problems in which the householder IS
deeply interested are attracting consider
able attention from tn research work
ers Methods of preventing the moldlng
of bread. which is anathema TO the house
wife. have been worked upon by bio
logical chemists for months Expert
ments In mothproo1ng WOODEN fabrics
success in which would cause millions
TO rise up and call the scientists blessed.
have furnished a knotty problem which
has not yet been overcome. The rotting
of timber is being studied carefully in
the same department, for the purpose or
preventing it.
Treatment which will prevent the "red-
deuipg" Of dried Goldfish, a natural phe-
nomenon which spoils huge quantities OF
the food every year is now being devised.
The possibility of extracting sugar from
dahlias was investigated some time ago,
but not found practical During the
{
ment of Hydraulics were turned over to
experiments on the rate OF descent Of
depth bombs in water. Formulae de-
v:sed as q result Of these experiments
were later used by the Navy in firing.
All Of the research which is done,
however Is not designed to be Of immed}
diate application. 1t is intended thaaf
in general the amount of pure researchi
done will equal the amount Of practical
Pure research is not designed TO solvef
definite problems. but is prosecuted mere
~ to gather general scientific informal
ton for the future benefit Of mankindi
The research done is either expert
mental or analytical in character. and r.
divided among the various department
laboratories in the more advance
branches of instruction. The actual wo -
is done either by members of the faculV
or instructIng sta6, by students who ar
candidates for advanced degrees. or b
research assistants or associates emf
ployed for the purpose and paid for the
time they spend. 81