50 years ago

Handbuch der Physik. Herausgegeben von S. Flügge. Band 14: Kältephysik I. Band 15: Kältephysik II. — To find, in an encyclopædia of physics running to fifty volumes, that two should be devoted specifically to low-temperature physics raises the question whether nowadays it is a sufficiently distinct branch to justify separate treatment ... Indeed, so much labour has gone into these exhaustive compilations of facts that it may seem ungrateful to complain that the total effect is one of deplorable dullness. Yet there is indeed only one article, that by J. Bardeen on the theory of superconductivity, which can be said to be exciting; and this is distinguished from the rest chiefly because the author is not content to act as an impassive recorder of what is known, but is eager to explore those regions where the meaning of the observations is obscure.

From Nature 29 March 1958.

100 years ago

An interesting lecture was given by Sir William Preece at the Institution of Electrical Engineers on March 12 on his recent visit to America, and the various improvements in constructional and engineering works since his previous visits were dealt with. The sky-scraper buildings appear to afford a considerable day load, in that they employ numerous lifts which are constantly in use ... On the telephone question, America seems to have gone ahead of us on this side. In most of the hotels telephones are installed in every bedroom, so that business may be transacted with any part of the country. This applies also to the restaurants, where telephones may be plugged on to your table if desired. The Telephone Tariff question has also been thoroughly considered in America, and the message rate has been adopted in preference to the simple annual rental.

From Nature 26 March 1908.