50 Years Ago

The Baghdad Pact Nuclear Training Centre was formally opened by H.M. King Feisal II on March 31 in the presence of Ambassadors, Ministers and members of the Scientific Council of the Centre. The Centre has been founded by the Pact countries, Britain, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey, to provide training in radioisotope techniques for scientists from the Pact countries and possibly other countries in the region... It is intended that the Centre should promote the application of radioisotopes and atomic energy in the region by collaborating with existing laboratories and research groups... The application of nuclear power will not be worthwhile in Iraq and Turkey in the foreseeable future, owing to the abundant supply of oil and hydro power. Iran and Pakistan are, however, interested in the potentialities of nuclear power units of medium output for some areas, and the Centre will help by advice to promote this development.

From Nature 11 May 1957.

100 Years Ago

The Journal of the Society of Arts for December 14, 1906, contains a paper read before the council of the National Fruit-growers' Federation by Mr. C. H. Hooper, on fruit-growing and bird-protection... It is satisfactory to see that Mr. Hooper speaks his mind plainly, without any attempt at special pleading for species which are notoriously harmful [and] advocates the relentless destruction of certain kinds and a restriction of the numbers of others... Mr. Hooper...urges that in fruit-growing districts it may be absolutely essential to kill off a percentage of blackbirds, starlings, and even missel-thrushes, thrushes, and rooks... A few more straightforward and outspoken addresses of this description, and there would perhaps be less nonsense talked and written about the duty of encouraging and protecting birds even where they are eating the unfortunate gardener and farmer out of house and home.

From Nature 9 May 1907.