The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-01-03

Herbert Hoover S committee
in its study Of Inventions inf
social life.
The development, for in
stance, Of the skyscraper and
the apartment house have
tended to take industry out Of
the home and concentrate it
in the factory.
But the committee finds child Ia
Dor was result of failure OF So
ciety TO adjust itself rapidly enough
to the new industrial development.
Tells of Radios Effect
The report sets forth the ef-
feet of numerous inventions in an
interesting chain. 1t lists $50 dis
tinct social effects Of the radio,
telegraph and telephone and OF "a
dio broadcasting Among them are:
Standardization Of diction and re-
duction Of dialects.
The contralto voice has become
more highly favored because 1t
transmits better.
Interest in sports increased.
Brokerage offices on ships have
been made possible.
Radio police patrols have speeded
detection Of crime.
Letter writing to radio religious
speakers has given a new opportu-
nifty for confession and confidence.
New occupations such as that OF
announcer have been created.
Legal questions as to rights to
the air have been raised.
Sterilization of milk by short
waves has been developed so milk
can be kept a week.
Additions have been made to the
language such as a "a baby broad
casting all night
other Striking Examples
The report goes into less detail
but perhaps even more strikingly,
into examples of the effects OF
Aother inventions.
Thus the mechanical stoker for
ENGINES" it says, increases the
amount of coal going under a boil
er, which permits more power
full locomotive, which increases the
length of trains, which makes the
distance a passenger carries his
baggage greater, which increases
the number of porters, which con-
tributes its bit 10 the status Of the
Negro.
cor, the automobiles replaces
horses, which diminishes livery
stables, which in turn reduces the
number of flies, which lessons
somewhat the communicable dis
eases.
Again the can opener is said to
have aided the woman suffrage
movement, through an enchain-
ment similar to that following the
mechanical stoker and the auto
mobile"
Problems of Adjustment
The report points out that more
than 100000 inventions we're pat
ented in this country between 1920
and 1880. Their total social effect
was tremendous
Invention is creating a new ma
terial environment which is itself
changing swiftly" the report says,
after reviewing the subject of in
vention. Humanity must adjust
itself to this material culture as it
changes. Invention thus causes for
man problems of adjustment"
Instead of comparing the atten-
ton given TO social and mechanical
:. invention" the report says in an
tother place, 1T might be well to
ask first whether society wishes to
encourage mechanical invention
and natural science at all.
Encourage Social Science
The question appears either alb
surd or academic, yet the changes
which many conservatives object to
are the result Of invention And
even radicals have suggested de-
claring a moratorium on invention
until society catches up
Technology seems to change
sooner than do social institutions
Society hardly will decide to dis
courage science and invention. for
these have added knowledge and
have brought material welfare.
And as to the difficulties and
problems they create. the solution
would seem to lie not so much in
discouraging natural science as in
encouraging social science"