Measures for Progress: A History of the National Bureau of Standards

SAMUEL WESLEY STRATTON
appeared as an appendix to a congressional report of the Committee on Com-
merce, in the Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for 1901, in the
Western Electrician, and, for a seventh time, in the London Electrical Review.
There seems little doubt that the report was regarded as a blueprint.
With modifications, the Bureau was to organize its work, like the
Reichsanstalt, in two spheres, scientific and technical, including "a division
for pure scientific research, mechanical measurements of precision, electrical
measurements and instruments, the measurement of large direct and alter-
nating currents and electromotive forces, an optical department, a department
of thermometry, a department of pyrometry, and a department of chemistry.
To these as auxiliaries should be added the power plant and the workshop." 24
Their re-creation in Washington was only a matter of time.
On his return from abroad, Stratton met with Lyman Gage to recom-
mend members for the Secretary's Visiting Committee, a liaison group
composed of prominent men of science and industry who were to keep Gage
informed of such national interests as were within the Bureau's domain, and
report annually to the Secretary on the work of the Bureau. Thoughtfully,
Stratton suggested his former superior at Chicago, Professor Michelson, for
membership on the Committee. Although Michelson was greatly interested
in standards, had worked at the Bureau International des Poids et Mésures
in 1892—93, and served on the International Committee of Weights and Meas-
ures since 1897, he declined the invitation.25 Letters were then sent by Gage
to Albert Ladd Colby, chief metallurgical engineer at Bethlehem Steel and
secretary of the Association of American Steel Manufacturers, as repre-
sentative of manufacturing interests in the country; to Dr. Elihu Thomson,
chief electrical engineer at General Electric, who held almost 500 patents
for electrical inventions and improvements, and would represent electrical
interests; to Dr. Ira Remsen, professor of chemistry and president of the
Johns Hopkins University, representing chemical interests; to Dr. Henry S.
Pritchett, now president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, rep-
resenting technical education institutions; and to Dr. Edward L. Nichols,
professor of physics at Cornell University, as representative of physical
interests.26
'4lbid., p. 7.
"While at the International Bureau, Michelson with a new interferometer he had de-
signed carried out a pioneer study in standards measurement, relating the cadmium
red line to the meter, the first significant beginning of a wavelength definition of the
meter.
"Letter, Gage to Michelson, June 6, 1901, and letters, June 18, 1901 (Correspondence
of the Secretary of the Treasury, 1900—1901, V series, vol. 6, NARG 56). A complete
list of members of the Visiting Committee to the NBS from 1901 to 1960 appears in
app. E.
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