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Chemical Heritage and Microscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2014

Charles Lyman
Charles Lyman*
Affiliation:
Editor-in-Chief

Abstract

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Type
From the Editor
Information
Microscopy Today , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , May 2014 , pp. 7
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2014 

The Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) was established in 1984 when the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers joined together to be the founding members of the organization. It now makes its home near Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As stated on its website, the CHF mission is to “focus on the sciences and technologies of matter and materials and their effect on our modern world, in territory ranging from the physical sciences and industries, through the chemical sciences and engineering, to the life sciences and technologies.” To do this the CHF collects, preserves, and exhibits historical artifacts, art, and archival materials; engages communities of scientists and engineers; and tells the stories of the people responsible for scientific and technological innovations.

The foundation maintains a library, a museum, and a center for scholars. The Othmer Library of Chemical History holds over 160,000 books, as well as manuscripts, significant archival materials, and historical photographs. In 2008, CHF opened a museum and conference center housing the permanent exhibition, Making Modernity, and a gallery for changing exhibitions. Within CHF, the Beckman Center for the History of Chemistry provides funding for scholars working on the history of science, technology, medicine, and industry.

The Chemical Heritage Foundation and the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy jointly sponsor the Pittcon Heritage Award, honoring entrepreneurs who have commercialized technologies that contribute to scientific discovery. At this year’s PITTCON meeting in March, the 2014 Pittcon Heritage Award was presented to Lynwood W. Swanson, founder of FEI, a manufacturer of electron microscopes and focused ion-beam instruments.

Dr. Swanson is the first microscopy innovator honored with this prestigious award. Considering that many of today’s light, electron, and scanning probe microscopes yield chemical information from micro- and nano-sized regions, this honor is entirely appropriate.