Twenty years of Physics Today: The early years

WHEN, AT LAST, IN May 1948 the first issue of PHYSICS TODAY appeared, it ended a long stretch of wishing, dreaming, planning and figuring. Such a periodical had long been wanted to vivify the whole idea of the American Institute of Physics‐bringing mutually unacquainted specialists in all branches of physics together into a kind of operational unity for enhancement of physics as an important field of human endeavor. We expected PHYSICS TODAY to provide a better cement than just a paper constitution or even the zeal of those few who served terms on the institute governing board. Part of the essential aim was to present the special fields in interesting terms that all physicists and most laymen could understand.