50, 100 and 150 Years Ago; October 1997; Scientific American Magazine; by Staff Editor; 1 Page(s)

OCTOBER 1947 SYNTHETIC QUARTZ--Quartz crystals, required in optical and electronic devices, and hitherto available only from scattered natural deposits, will be produced by the Naval Research Laboratories, Washington, D.C., as soon as equipment is installed for a new process of growing them. The method is based on techniques developed in Germany, and depends on the growth of a crystal from a seed placed in a solution of silica, sodium hydroxide or carbonate, and water, heated to 350 to 400 degrees Centigrade. Pressures generated may reach 2,000 to 3,000 pounds per square inch.

OCTOBER 1897 ARCTIC RESEARCH--The latest Arctic adventure of Lieut. R. E. Peary, U.S.N., while devoid of sensational adventures and discoveries, was crowned with success from a scientific point of view. The great meteorite and the collections he gathered are worth all the expense and labor of the voyage. His vessel the Hope came into Sydney, Cape Breton, on September 20, nearly as deep in the water as when she left the port for the North--the great Cape York meteorite, the largest in the world, being in the hold embedded in tons of ballast. The meteorite is estimated to weigh up to 90 tons, and is composed of about 92 per cent iron and 8 per cent nickel.