Issues

When a metal becomes a superconductor the conduction electrons pair off, and quantum‐mechanical effects can be seen macroscopically. However, theorists are still looking for a satisfactory microscopic theory to explain the phenomena.

Orderly communication through research journals may be jeopardized by a developing national information system that is beginning to encroach on the domain of the primary publication system. The author also believes mass distribution of unedited, unreferred and often unproofread preprints, which has recently been proposed, would put journals out of business or transform them into depositories.

During 1965 the American Institute of Physics acquired a new director in Van Zandt Williams, created a new division in the Center for History and Philosophy of Physics, added two new member societies and expanded its activities in several areas: new programs were launched, publishing operations were increased and more services were provided for member societies. Income and expenses both grew considerably. The year's activities emphasized the need for major planning in 1966.

A recently discovered manuscript appears to record some serious thoughts of Robert Browning on the physics of his day and some that was to come. It promises to add nothing whatsoever to the history and philosophy of science.

Updating plasma‐physics data was a chance to experiment with information and programs of the Technical Information Project at MIT. The computer searched for indicative words in titles, papers that shared bibliographical references and those that referred to papers that have become classics in plasma physics.

With a larger attendance and more papers than ever before, OSA looked closely at the past and future of optics. Lasers and holograms competed for attention with classical subjects of optics.