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Re: Kelvin quote



From http://www.kennedym.demon.co.uk/University.htm -

"[Glasgow University's] Department of Natural Philosophy (now known as the
Physics and Astronomy Department) is based in the Kelvin Building at the
University, which contains many artifacts from Lord Kelvin, including an
original voice recording dated from the end of the 19th century of his
address to the Royal Society in which he states 'There is nothing new to
be discovered in physics now. All that remains is more and more precise
measurement.' - a few years later Einstein published his paper on
relativity, Plank proposed quantum theory and Kelvin's completed science
of physics developed a whole new branch!"

Elsewhere the date of 1900 was given (which would still be in the 19th
century!).

Lord Kelvin also is reported to have said - "Heavier than air flying
machines
are impossible." (Royal Society, 1895)

Other less-than-visionary statements are given at
http://www.ttinet.com/pjf/never.html


Rick Strickert, Ph.D.
URS Radian
Austin, TX