PHYSICAL SCIENCES SERIES
Technological Breakthroughs of the 20th Century
Professor Paul J. Angiolillo

This course will be held at the Wynnefield Branch of the Free Library, located at 5325 Overbrook Avenue, Philadelphia.

LECTURES BEGIN AT 6:30 PM

1. Wednesday, September 26, 2007-Development of the Vacuum Tube and Radio: RCA
   The history and development of the vacuum tube (valve) and its impact on electronics will be traced, starting with the seminal experiments performed by Thomas Edison during his pursuit of the light bulb.
2. Wednesday, October 3, 2007-Development of RADAR: MIT Radiation Laboratory
   This lecture will trace the development of RADAR from World War II through later innovations such as the microwave oven, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the discovery of the cosmic microwave.
3. Wednesday, October 10, 2007-Atomic Bomb: The Manhatten Project
   The fundamental physics of nuclear energy are covered, paying particular attention to its relation to the development of atomic energy and its use as a source of weapon development during World War II.  Peacetime spin-offs will also be highlighted.
4. Wednesday, October 17, 2007-The Invention of the Transistor: Bell Telephone
   The transistor ushered in another era of technological breakthroughs, leading to a plethora of electronic developments as a consequence of the miniaturization of electronic components.  Special attention will be given to the personalities involved.
5. Wednesday, October 24, 2007-The Computer and Microprocessor: The Story of ENIAC
   Following the transistor, the development of the microprocessor and consequently the modern computer quickly emerged.  Its history will be traced from the development of the first digital computer (ENIAC) - an invention that represented the full maturity of vacuum tube technology.
6. Wednesday, October 31, 2007-The Invention of the LASER
   The LASER has roots in theories put forth by Albert Einstein at the beginning of the 20th century.  Several important physicists lay claim to its invention and the story of its development unfolds like a soap opera.
7. Wednesday, November 7, 2007-Communications and the Cell Phone Age
   This lecture will address the basic physics, electronics, and history of the cell phone - an invention which had its birth in the 1950s.
8. Wednesday, November 14, 2007-Modern Applications of Quantum Mechanics
   A group of technological developments - devices employing quantum tunneling, superconductivity, quantum computing, and cryptography - will be highlighted .

Register for this course at the first lecture.  No preregistration required.

This course will explore technological breakthroughs that occurred during the 20th century that many of us take for granted.  For some participants, these developments are part of our personal history, while for others they may seem ancient history.  These scientific developments will be discussed in the historical context in which they occurred, with particular emphasis on the interesting politics and personalities that shaped the discoveries.

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