Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-15
EIectron Microscope
Seen as Opening New
Realm Of Exploration
Powerful Instrument
Placed on Exhibit
Here by Scientists

Exciting new realms of the "un-
known" heretofore beyond the
reaches OF mankind's constant pry-
ing, became an actually here yes
terdsy with the preview demon
stration OF the RCA "clectron
microscope" at the National Press
Club.
Its potentialities discovered less
than Is years ago, the electron
microscope, being demonstrated this
week, is capable of magnifying
infinitesimally small particles more
than 100000 diameters.
Heretofore the commonly used
light microscope was the research
er's greatest aid in seeing small par
ticles. But it has only usefulness
up to 1000 diameters, whereas the
electron instrument is so to 100
times more powerful.
The new microscope already is
working for the American war eff
fort, in agriculture, food industry,
manufacturing, chemistry, metal
lurgy and other fields.
Explained to Viewers.
The story of the powerful instru-
ment was told briefly to assembled
neWSpapermen, Government Of
f1cials. representatives of the Army
and Navy and leading Washington
scientists by DR.. Stuart Mudd, pro-
fessor of bateriology. University of
Pennsylvania, and DR.. R. Bowling
Barnes, director of the physics lab
oratory, American Cyanamid Co.
DR.. Mudd is chairman of the Fell
lowship Committee sponsored by
the National Research Council to
do work with the new microscope,
and also was among the earliest to
work with the machine from med
ical standpoint. DR.. Barnes COM
pany purchased the first commercial
electron microscope in existence.
Pointing to the powers of mag
nification, DR.. Mudd predicted the
machine will enable discoveries here
tofore believed beyond mans reach.
It's opening of new vistas, he said,
will keep medical men busy for 100
years or more solving what were
once mere mysteries.
He foresees striking progress in
the study of the fine structures of
tissues, which will afford a greater
understanding of animal and human
bodies.
Isolates Object.
DR.. Barnes said his company has
had the first commercial machine
for more than two years. Where
formerly scientists were able to
barely see one tenth of a micron, he
said the electron machine made it
possible to visit objects so or 60
times as small, and isolate them for
study.
He expressed praise for the
simplicity to which the microscope
had been reduced. Like the machine
being demonstrated. ne said, the
microscopes can all be operated on
a 110-volt socket.
The speakers were introduced by
Dr. c. B. Joliffe. vice president and
chief engineer, RCA Manufacturing
Co. He also introduced DR.. V. K.
ZWorykin, associate director of RCA
Laboratories at Princeton, N j., who
supervised development of the ma
chine, and two of his associates, DR..
j. Hitler and Dr. E. w. Engstrom.
Visit Days Designated.
Demonstration of the new micro
scope will continue through Friday
at the Press Club. Running daily
from $3.50 to 6 and 7:30 to 10 pm,
the schedule is as follows:
Today, National Press Club and
members of Congress day; tomorrow,
medical societies day; Thursday,
scientists, Army and Navy, War
Production Board day. and Friday,
international day, will be attended
by diplomats and certain Govern
ment officials.
Those who attended the preview
showing were treated to look
through the microscope. They were
shown a unit of diatomaceo earth.
material found at the bottom of
ponds and streams, magnifed 5000
times. This particular exhibit
showed material composed of I'M
celled organisms believed to have
died somewhere around 100000 years
ago.
A booklet by the RCA Co. explains
that the troublesome fue virus can
now be detected and watched.