American Scientist

On December 16, 1675, Henry Oldenburg, the secretary of the Royal Society, prepared to publicly read Isaac Newton’s latest submission, “An Hypothesis Explaining the Properties of Light Discoursed of in My Several Papers.” The manuscript had arrived just a few days earlier. At the time, Oldenburg had no way of knowing he was about to set off one of the longest and most significant collaborations in the history of science.

The Royal Society’s own Curator of Experiments, Robert Hooke, was sitting in the audience. Upon hearing the details of Newton’s hypothesis, Hooke rose to proclaim that the essence of the paper was contained in his popular book, Micrographia, and that Newton’s analyses would benefit from a new round of experiments to improve upon his previously published conclusions. Hooke and Newton subsequently engaged in a long correspondence to work out the finer points of Hooke’s recommendations.

Hooke, struck by the similarities between his and Newton’s descriptions of optical properties, sought to reconcile discrepancies about the nature of light and the definition of color. Hooke had previously elaborated on René Descartes’s notion of light as pressure waves transferred through an “aether” that permeates space. He concluded that colors embodied weak and strong components of light that become visibly distinguishable due to varying degrees of efficiency in penetrating transparent media, such as very thin glass plates. Newton used a similar approach to arrive at a new hypothesis in which light consists of uniquely colored particles that are easily separated by refraction at the surface of a transparent medium.

Hooke soon came to appreciate the unprecedented quantitative achievement in Newton’s studies. He praised Newton for advancing optical theory beyond his own work, stating, “I believe the subject cannot meet with a fitter and more able person to inquire into it than yourself, who are every way accomplished to complete, rectify, and reform what were the sentiments of my younger studies.” Newton embraced Hooke’s suggestions, and the work culminated in his book, Opticks: Or, a Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light, which would rival the greatness of his previous book, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.

In the midst of their discussions, Newton acknowledged that he had only arrived at his conclusions because of the pioneering work done by Descartes and Hooke. He went on to say, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants,” providing one of our most cherished metaphors for scientific advancement.

Indeed, their early relationship continues to symbolize the spirit and substance of science. Yet the concept of recognizing the contributions of others in your own achievements need not be limited to science. As in government, industry, and society, writ large, all progress is built on the triumphs of others.

These ideas resonate deeply with me while I prepare this, my last note as the editor-in-chief of American Scientist. It is with tremendous gratitude to both my colleagues and predecessors that I look back on my three years as a member of this team. The opportunity to lead Sigma Xi’s crown jewel publication has been one of the great experiences of my life. Thanks to its history of excellence and the unparalleled professionalism of this team, I was able to tinker with content and design while wading into uncharted territory with confidence.

Some of our ideas were more successful than others; still others will soon be tested. For example, this issue will be the first to be hosted on the new American Scientist website. The new look and feel represent a dramatic change from your previous online experience, but we believe you’ll find the new website to be a more functional and enjoyable way to access our content. This project has been in the works for months, and we’re excited to finally make it available to you.

As I move on to my new role as the executive director of Sigma Xi and publisher of American Scientist, I’m comforted by the knowledge that some of the giants who’ve built the legacy of this great magazine in recent years and on whose shoulders I have stood will be here to continue the tradition.