50, 100 and 150 Years Ago; January 1999; Scientific American Magazine; by Staff Editor; 1 Page(s)

NUCLEAIRE-"The first self-sustaining chain reaction to be produced outside of the English-speaking nations has just been achieved by French physicists. Frederic Joliot-Curie, director of the French Atomic Energy Commission, announced that a uranium pile went into operation last month at Fort de Chatillon, on the outskirts of Paris. To U.S. workers, who have taken great pains to refine the uranium used in their reactors, the ability of the Chatillon pile to sustain itself on impure uranium (uranium oxide) is something of a surprise."

OEDIPUS COMPLEX-"Freud knew the Oedipus myth from Sophocles' tragedy King Oedipus. The question is whether Freud was right in assuming that this myth confirms his view that unconscious incestuous drives and resulting hate against the father-rival are an intrinsic part of any male child's equipment. If we examine the myth more closely, however, doubts arise. There is no indication whatsoever in the myth that Oedipus is attracted by or falls in love with Jocasta. The myth has to be understood as a symbol, not of the incestuous tie between mother and son, but of the rebellion of the son against the authority of the father in the patriarchal family; the marriage of Oedipus and Jocasta is a symbol of the victory of the son who takes over his father's place and with it all the privileges.-Erich Fromm"