Letter from Linus Pauling to Walter Thorson March 6, 1957. Page 1  Larger Images / More Information. 1 p.  View Transcript

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Activity Listings

• Letter Professor George S. Hammond, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State College to LP RE: Thanks him for the enjoyable visit to Cal Tech. [Letter from LP to Dr. Hammond March 12, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (Hammond, George, 1957, 1959-1960-1968-1970, 1978, 1983), #151.9]
• Letter from David Andrews Secretary Peace Education Program, American Friends Service Committee to LP, RE: Asks LP for his opinion on whether successful testing of an ICBM by either the US or Russia would throw the arms race into a new phase, and if that phase would be irreversible. [LP's reply March 12, 1957] [Filed under LP Peace: (Assorted Peace Groups, Am), Box #4.009, Folder #9.4]
• Letter from Dr. Samuel Prigal to LP RE: Sends more clippings in hopes that they will be useful to him. Handwritten note explains they arrived on 3/12/57. [Letter from LP to Dr. Prigal March 5, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (P: Correspondence, 1957), #313.5]
• Letter from Dr. Sidney Solomon, Assistant Professor of Physiology, Medical College of Virginia to LP RE: States that he and a colleague are trying to study hydrogen bonding as it relates to dyes. Questions what ways for determining hydrogen bonds exist, where he could read about them, and asks for suggestions. [Letter from LP to Dr. Solomon March 12, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (S: Correspondence, 1957), #380.1]
• Letter from Ivan M. Ponedel to Dr. J.A. Campbell, National Science Foundation, cc: LP RE: Encloses five copies of a proposals to the NSF by Cal Tech for a grant of funds in the amount to $20,275 to support the preparation of filmed lectures presented by LP. [Letter from Campbell to LP March 18, 1957] [Filed under LP Science: (National Science Foundation: Grants, Exhibits, 1954-1964), Box #14.030, Folder #30.5]
• Letter from J.F. Glassett, Sales Manager, Foothill Motors, to LP RE: Apologizes for the discrepancy in the bill, caused by the oil filter being changed twice and that he did not take care of the bill right away, which is why LP never got a response to his notices. Notifies him that it has all been taken care of and expresses a wish that they can continue doing business together. [Letter from LP to Foothill Motors March 5, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (F: Correspondence, 1957), #129.1]
• Letter from LP to Alan G. Ward, British Gelatine and Glue Research Association, RE: Writes that he definitely is planning to come to the conference and give a lecture, although he won't be able to stay the whole week. Suggests a title of "Polypeptide Chains in Proteins." Also mentions that he feels a bit disappointed because he knows no new information on this subject. [Letter from Ward to LP January 29, 1957, Letter from Ward to LP March 12, 1957] [Filed under LP Speeches: 1957s.25]
• Letter from LP to Barry Commoner, Washington University, RE: Writes that he can definitely make the lectures at Washington University on May 15 and suggests that his talk in the morning be on the subject of Science in the Modern World and his talk in the evening be on the subject of Molecular Medicine. [Letter from Commoner to LP February 19, 1957, Letter from Commoner to LP March 11, 1957] [Filed under LP Speeches: 1957s.19]
• Letter from LP to Dr. Arthur H. Snell, Director, Physics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory RE: Thanks him for the information about their new discoveries, agrees that it will provide a good way to get information about molecules, and encourages the lab to continue their research in this area. [Letter from Dr. Snell to LP January 11, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (S: Correspondence, 1957), #380.1]
• Letter from LP to Dr. Charles G. Miller, Department of Physical Sciences, UC Santa Barbara RE: Notifies him that the device he developed to measure the partial pressure of oxygen is only accurate for about 1mm, and so would not be a reliable way to help him measure oxygen in his research. Comments that he will discuss this issue with Dr. O.R. Wulf to see if they have any suggestions. [Note from Dr. Miller to LP February 14, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (M: Correspondence, 1957), #257.2]
• Letter from LP to Dr. E.S. Lauzer RE: Suggests he contact U.S.C. or UCLA Medical Schools to get collaboration on his cancer research because he does not have a background in cancer or an MD so he feels he can not be of much help. [Letter from Dr. Lauzer to LP November 12, 1956, Letter from Dr. Lauzer to LP May 20, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (L: Correspondence, 1957), #231.3]
• Letter from LP to Dr. Gunter Stachel RE: Explains that he does not know what illustrations appear in the book by Gerold Schwarzenbach because he does not have a copy of the book. Comments that if he describes the pictures or notifies him where they were originally published than LP will be able to answer his question. [Letter from Dr. Stachel to LP February 2, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (S: Correspondence, 1957), #380.1]
• Letter from LP to Dr. Harris Busch, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, University of Illinois Medical School RE: Recommends Gary Felsenfeld for the opening of an Assistant Chemistry Professor at the Medical School that Dr. Busch wrote about. Comments on the general background of Dr. Felsenfeld's academic and professional career and offers strong support for hiring him. [Letter from Dr. Busch to LP January 4, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (Felsenfeld, Gary, 1954-1957, 1960-1964, 1981, 1984, 1986), #119.3]
• Letter from LP to Dr. Terrell L. Hill, Naval Medical Research Institute RE: Recommends several people to help University of Oregon build their chemistry department. States that Harrison Shull is a good theoretical chemist and a pleasant person and would not be a mistake if got. Praises Gary Felsenfeld on the basis that he is strong in theoretical interests but has done experimental work. Explains that Martin Karplus would also be a good person to consider but isn't as interested in research as Shull is. Comments that for senior staff they should look at Paul Emmett and J. Lynn Hoard, stating they are both excellent chemists and professors. [Letter from Dr. Hill to LP January 4, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (H:Correspondence, 1957), #167.2]
• Letter from LP to Dr. Walter Thorson, Department of Chemistry, Harvard University. [Letter from Thorson to LP, February 25, 1957] [Letter from Thorson to LP, March 28, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (T: Correspondence, 1956-1963), Box #411, Folder #411.2]

  6 March 1957

  Dr. Walter Thorson

  Department of Chemistry

  Harvard University

  12 Oxford Street

  Cambridge 38, Mass.

  Dear Dr. Thorson:

  I am pleased to have received your letter of 25 February, and I have written to Professor Davidson of Kansas University about you.

  The Jahn-Teller effect is an interesting one, and I am sure that something significant remains to be learned about it. I suppose that it may be that anti-ferromagnetism in some cases can be attributed to it. The verb attributed is too strong - I mean that the ordered anti-ferromagnetism structures, involving decrease in symmetry at the centers of certain atoms, can be correlated with the effect.

  I agree with you that this is not the time to go to Israel.

  Sincerely yours,

  Linus Pauling:W

• Letter from LP to Dr. Wilfried F.H.M. Mommaerts, School of Medicine at the University of California, RE: Verifies that he received Mommaerts's invitation to contribute to the separate issue of Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics that will celebrate the 65th birthday of Albert Szent-Gyorgi. Tells Mommaerts that he has not decided on a subject for his contribution and that he will have to postpone submitting his contribution until September 1957 because he will be away from Pasadena during the summer. [Letter from Mommaerts to LP, November 5, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (Szent-Gyorgyi, Albert, 1939-1989), Box #371, Folder #371.1]
• Letter from LP to Gary Felsenfeld RE: Expresses interest in the work he is doing with polynucleotides. Informs him of job openings that he has heard of, one at National Institutes of Health, one at the University of Illinois and he has already written them a recommendation, and one at the University of Pittsburgh. Encourages him to talk to those places about a position. [Letter from Dr. Felsenfeld to LP February 14, 1957, Letter from Dr. Busch to LP January 4, 1957, Letter from LP to Dr. Busch March 6, 1957] [Filed in LP Correspondence: (Felsenfeld, Gary, 1954-1957, 1960-1964, 1981, 1984, 1986), #119.3]
• Letter from LP to Hugh W. Handsfield, College Department, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc RE: Returns signed copies of a supplement to a Memorandum of Agreement from 1934. [Filed under LP Books: Unpb.7]
• Letter from LP to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ryback and Son RE: Thanks them for their letter. Tells them that he is looking forward to hearing from them and that he had a happy birthday. [Filed under LP Correspondence: (R:Correspondence, 1955-1959), #341.3]
• Letter from LP to Paul H. Emmett, Johns Hopkins University, RE: Writes that everything is set up to speak at Johns Hopkins University on May 2 and 3. Suggests that his lecture on Thursday evening be on Abnormal Hemoglobin Molecules in Relation to Disease and his lecture on Friday evening be on the Structure of Proteins. [Letter from Emmett to LP February 23, 1957, Letter from LP to Emmett March 8, 1957] [Filed under LP Speeches: 1957s.18]
• Letter from LP to Professor Arthur W. Davidson, Chairman of the Department of Chemistry at Kansas University, RE: Tells Davidson that he was pleased with Thorson as a graduate student at Caltech. Says that Thorson is a good theoretical chemist, that he is a fine man with high ideals, and that he would be an excellent teacher. [Filed under LP Correspondence: (T: Correspondence, 1956-1963), Box #411, Folder #411.2]
• Letter from LP to Professor Max A. Lauffer, Dean, Division of the Natural Sciences, University of Pittsburgh RE: Recommends Dr. Gary Felsenfeld to fulfill their need for a young biophysicist. Provides background on his graduate work and research so far, as well as describes him as someone with a good personality and good judgement. [Filed under LP Correspondence: (L: Correspondence, 1957), #231.3]
• Letter from LP to Reino Hakala. [Hakala's letter January 2, 1957] [Filed under LP Peace: (Materials, re: Fallout and Radiation Shelters, and Civil Defense, 1954-1961), Box #7.007, Folder #7.1]

  6 March 1957

  Dr. Reino W. Hakala

  310 Benham Avenue

  Bridgeport 4, Connecticut

  Dear Dr. Hakala:

  In answer to your letter of 2 January 1957 I can make the following statements. In the Atomic Energy Commission Report for 1953 there are given values of gamma radiation over a 13-weeks period due to fallout from the atom bomb tests that had been made, for a number of communities in Nevada and Colorado. For example, the average exposure to radiation of the 4500 inhabitants of St. George, Utah was 3.5 r for this period, and values around 5 to 9 were reported for other communities. I conclude that a number of inhabitants in this region, perhaps around 10,000, have received average exposures of 5 roentgen to 10 roentgen as a result of bomb tests.

  Professor Harden Jones of the Bonner Laboratory of the University of California in Berkeley has concluded from the analysis of mortality rates for Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors and for people who have received radiation treatments for various diseases, as well as from a consideration of animal experiments, that human beings probably have a decrease in life expectancy of 2 weeks per roentgen of radiation.

  Accepting this figure, I calculate that the approximately 13,000 people in Nevada and Colorado have a decrease in life expectancy of 10 to 20 weeks.

  The calculation of the number of defective children that can be expected to be born can be made with the use of some reasonable assumptions about mutations. At the present time about 2 million seriously defective children are born out of every hundred million children, because of bad genes. If we attribute all of these bad genes to natural radioactivity, principally cosmic rays, we have a basis for making a calculation. The amount of cosmic radiation received by people during the first 50 years of their life, when half their children have been born, is about 4 r. A possibility is that artificial radiation exposure of 4 r on top of this would double the number of mutations, and that the number of defectives would accordingly be doubled. It may be that mutations are caused also by something other than radiation, in which case the number of defective children caused by fallout radiation would be less than that given by this calculation. There is considerable uncertainty about estimated values in this field, but I think that we should consider the worst possible case, rather than the best possible case.

  Sincerely yours,

  Linus Pauling:W

• Letter from LP to Right Reverend Walter Mitchell, Chairman, Committee for the Protection of the Foreign Born RE: Accepts his invitation to be a sponsor for the upcoming conference held by the Committee for the Protection of the Foreign Born. Compliments him on the work that the Committee is doing in efforts to change laws as the regard foreign born people. [Letter from Right Reverend Mitchell to LP February 26, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (M: Correspondence, 1957), #257.2]
• Letter from LP to William M. Wallace of Western Reserve University RE: Declines the invitation to be guest speaker at the June meeting of the Society for Pediatric Research. [Letter from William M. Wallace to LP December 19, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (W: Correspondence, 1956), #444.4]
• Letter from Robert N. Feinstein, Chairman, Program Committee, Chicago Section American Chemical Society to LP RE: Requests information about him and his talk for press purposes and reminds him that all slides have to be done in duplicate. Handwritten note in right margin: "please dictate - you did not give them a title." [Letter from Dr. Young to LP December 10, 1956, Letter from LP to Dr. Feinstein March 11, 1957] [Filed under LP Speeches: 1957s.16]
• Research Proposal: "Proposal to the California Institute of Technology to the National Science Foundation for a grant for the Production of Sound-color Films of Three Lectures," submitted by LP. Total cost is $20,275. [Filed under LP Science: (National Science Foundation: Grants, Exhibits, 1954-1964), Box #14.030, Folder #30.5]