Physics and the APS in 1980

The last hundred years have witnessed an astonishing growth in our understanding of the physical universe. It is no exaggeration to say that this development is an incomparably profound achievement of the human mind. It rests directly upon remarkably few principles and concepts which are applicable to a wide range of phenomena extending from the sub‐atomic world of nuclear and particle physics, including the atomic and molecular regimes of chemistry and condensed matter, to the domain of astrophysics which, for example, considers the history of the universe from the time of the “big bang.” But as much as has been accomplished, the end is nowhere in sight. New and challenging fundamental issues which demand the development of new concepts continue to make their appearance. Consequently a pervasive sense of excitement and expectation exists which is coupled with a perception of assured progress based on past success. Not that these new mysteries will necessarily be easily resolved. But there is a confidence that the methods which have been effective in the past will prove to be equally effective in the future.