1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 258: Rejecting Edison and meeting Compton for the first time

After Li Qiwei's speech, the audience left in an orderly manner.

But he couldn't just go yet.

Woodrow asked Richardson to take Ridgway to visit the Department of Physics at Princeton University.

The two sides exchanged academic and teaching experiences, etc.

Michelson, Millikan and others were preparing to leave.

But they did not feel lost at parting because they would see each other again soon.

Michelson smiled and said, "Bruce, today's speech was really wonderful."

"Because of you this time, I will definitely be envied by my peers."

Li Qiwei said: "I have to thank you for giving me this opportunity, otherwise it would be difficult for me to become famous in the United States."

Everyone laughed along with him.

Michelson continued, "Bruce, we'll leave first then."

"Let's have a good chat at the Physics Society's regular academic meeting on November 11th."

Li Qiwei said: "Definitely."

This time, Michelson invited Ridgway to come to the United States.

It’s definitely not as simple as just a speech.

He also invited Ridgway to attend a meeting of the American Physical Society.

Let Ridgway share today's most cutting-edge physics theories.

Although everyone can read the papers, there are some deeper things that the papers cannot show.

Therefore, the experience of physics masters is extremely valuable.

Michelson wanted Ridgway to give lessons to American physicists.

During this era, the United States, like other countries, almost copied Britain's scientific education.

There is the Association for the Advancement of Science in the UK and there is also the Association for the Advancement of Science in the US.

There is the Physical Society in the UK and there is also the Physical Society in the US.

It’s just that there are too many physics bigwigs in the UK, resulting in a low presence of the Physical Society.

After all, many bigwigs have their own personalities and don’t like to be constrained, so it’s a bit difficult to get them to gather together on time for a meeting.

To put it bluntly, no one has enough authority to call on others.

This is also why many physicists like Ridgway.

With him, physics seemed to have a backbone, and everyone could sit down and discuss research together.

But the situation in the United States is different.

In 1899, 36 American physicists led by Rowland gathered at Columbia University and founded the American Physical Society.

The original intention of establishing the society was actually to enhance the status of academic physics.

Because at that time, Edison, the pragmatic inventor, was the image of an orthodox scientist in the minds of the American people.

Although Edison made almost no contribution to the development of physical theory, it did not prevent him from becoming famous.

Roland, who invented the precision diffraction grating, had his instrument snapped up by European physicists who were studying spectroscopy.

He is also well-known in the European physics community, which is full of great physics experts.

But the American public doesn't know what a grating is.

In the eyes of ordinary people, electric lights, phonographs, and movies are more interesting and "more technologically advanced" than gratings.

Applied physics is far more interesting than academic physics.

The American Physical Society was established in this context.

After becoming president, Michelson has been committed to improving the international status of American physics.

When he won the Nobel Prize in Physics, his authority was greatly enhanced.

If Edison was the leader of applied physics in the United States, then Michelson was the first in academic physics.

The American Physical Society has been established for more than 10 years.

The number of its members has also exceeded 100.

Moreover, Michelson abandoned the strict boundaries between academic and application.

People like Edison were also admitted as members to enhance the influence of the society.

It has to be said that as the president, Michelson is very courageous. He dares to break the rules and make use of all resources.

Therefore, in the United States, the academic conference of the Physical Society is currently the most authoritative conference in the field of physics.

And it was at this kind of conference that Li Qiwei would communicate with American physicists.

Just as he was thinking about these things, a young man suddenly came over.

He was smiling and looked very handsome in a suit. He said respectfully:

"Hello, Professor Bruce. My name is Langmuir. Do you remember me?"

When Li Qiwei saw the person coming, he was stunned at first, then he remembered.

I thought to myself, of course I remember you, you appeared in Chapter 75.

Langmuir was invited by Ridgway to attend the first Brussels Young Scholars Conference.

At the meeting, he was just an ordinary student at Columbia University.

So, Li Qiwei replied: "Oh, it's Langmuir, of course I know you."

“I was deeply impressed by your cheerfulness and wit at the Young Scholars Conference in Brussels.”

"Your mentor Nernst mentioned you when he was chatting with me earlier."

"He said you were the best doctor he had ever taught, but it was a pity that he couldn't keep you."

Langmuir was very happy to hear what Li Qiwei said. He didn't expect that Professor Bruce, who is now world-renowned, still remembered a small figure like him.

And his mentor Nernst also remembers him.

Unfortunately, he didn't know that this was all Li Qiwei's nonsense and Nernst had long forgotten him.

At this time, Li Qiwei asked again: "It's been ten years since we last met. How have you been recently? Are you still doing physics research?"

Langmuir said a little ashamedly: "I am now a researcher at the General Electric Research Laboratory."

"The current work is mainly focused on the improvement of incandescent lamps and the direction of surface chemistry."

Li Qiwei patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him: "Research is not divided into high and low levels. Applied physics is as important as academic physics."

"I believe that with your intelligence and talent, you will achieve excellent results wherever you are."

Langmuir was very encouraged after hearing this, and then he said, "By the way, Professor, I came to you this time because I have something to tell you."

Li Qiwei wondered, "What's going on?"

Langmuir then explained, "Well, Mr. Edison has asked me to invite you to his laboratory in West Orange."

"He wants to discuss applied problems in physics with you."

Li Qiwei was happy after hearing this.

Edison is dreaming.

Although West Orange and Princeton are both in New Jersey, the distance between the two places is only more than 60 kilometers.

Even in this day and age, it only takes a little over an hour to get there.

But Edison actually wanted me to take the initiative to meet him?

presumptuous!

In terms of academic level, Ridgwell is a Nobel Prize winner in physics and the founder of the theory of relativity and quantum theory, and he is far superior to Edison.

In terms of wealth, although he didn't know how rich Edison was, he thought that the difference between him and Edison was not an order of magnitude.

Moreover, his plans for future business are beyond the reach of even Edison.

In terms of identity, he was the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education of the Qing Dynasty and a knight of the lower order of the British Order. Well, Edison's British title seemed to be slightly higher than his.

But as for wives, he has two.

What can Edison compare himself with?

He was so arrogant that he asked me to visit him. It seems that this old guy doesn't know himself very well.

Li Qiwei's speculation was correct.

Edison just wanted to give Li Qiwei a warning on purpose.

After he knew that Ridgeway was coming to the United States, given his prejudice against Ridgeway, he would definitely not go to Princeton in person to greet him.

But he also wanted to know Li Qiwei's every move.

So he took a fancy to Langmuir, who had had some interactions with Li Qiwei.

Moreover, Langmuir worked at General Electric, so Edison felt that he was easy to control.

So he asked Langmuir to invite Ridgway to his laboratory after the speech.

When Li Qiwei arrived at his territory, he was bullied at will.

Edison would also show off the advanced nature of his factory and how great his inventions were.

Edison felt refreshed when he thought of Li Qiwei's frustrated look.

However, he was destined to be disappointed.

After the content of today's speech is released, Edison will probably be even more unhappy with Li Qiwei.

Because Ridgway publicly opposed his famous quote.

This was a provocation to Edison.

However, Li Qiwei would not pay any attention to him.

You are the king of inventions, and I am the king of physics.

If I were determined to invent something, the U.S. Patent Office would have to expand its staff tenfold.

So Ridgway said to Langmuir, "I'm really sorry, I have something else to do and can't keep the appointment."

"You can tell Mr. Edison that we can have a good exchange at the American Physical Society on the 15th."

Langmuir smiled bitterly. This job was really not easy.

Edison's original words were not so polite, but rather imperative.

From this point, Langmuir knew that there must be some grudge between Edison and Professor Bruce.

However, Langmuir felt that was a bit too rude, so he changed the invitation wording without authorization.

He didn't dare to refuse Edison's task.

At this time, Langmuir was not yet the academic giant who would win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in the future.

He was just an ordinary employee of General Electric.

Although Edison is no longer the boss of General Electric, he still has a very large influence.

Having angered Edison, Langmuir's days in the company would probably not be easy.

That's why he had to bite the bullet and invite Li Qiwei today.

Obviously, he failed.

But he was just a messenger, so he answered truthfully so as not to offend either side.

"Okay, Professor Bruce, I'll tell Mr. Edison."

Li Qiwei said: "Langmuir, focus on your own business and don't be disturbed by trivial matters."

Langmuir was very moved after hearing this because Li Qiwei cared about his feelings very much.

On the contrary, Edison only used him as a pawn.

Langmuir secretly made up his mind to devote more time to basic research.

Get ahead as soon as possible and get rid of the control of others.

After Langmuir left, Richardson smiled and said, "Bruce, you are amazing. Even the famous Edison invited you."

Li Qiwei smiled but said nothing.

Before he and Edison even met, their relationship had already reached a freezing point.

But this is the best way. Next time he gets slapped in the face, he won't have any psychological burden.

Soon, Richardson brought Ridgway to the Department of Physics at Princeton University.

In an office, professors and teachers from the Department of Physics were already waiting.

There was no opportunity for them to interrupt in the previous speech.

Now is the real time for academic exchange.

After a simple polite greeting, Richardson introduced: "Bruce, this is Professor Carl, the director of the Department of Physics at Princeton University."

Carl seemed very enthusiastic. He stepped forward and took Li Qiwei's hand, saying with a smile, "Welcome, Professor Bruce."

"Please forgive me for not welcoming you, as I was busy."

Li Qiwei did not expect the other party to be so polite. He replied: "Professor Karl, don't worry too much. It's just a formality."

"Maybe Principal Woodrow doesn't want others to steal his limelight."

Li Qiwei's humor made everyone laugh.

At this moment, Karl suddenly pulled out a young man from behind him. He looked only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a broad face, a straight nose, and bright eyes.

"Professor Bruce, please allow me to introduce you to my brother, Compton."

"He really admires you. If I hadn't stopped him from making such a fool of himself during this speech, Compton would have made a fool of himself."

Karl's words made everyone laugh.

Li Qiwei was very surprised. He didn't expect to meet another future physics giant.

The famous Compton.

Wilson's good friend, the two won the Nobel Prize in Physics together.

If Wilson were standing here, he would definitely hold Compton's hand and say affectionately:

"Kangdi, grow up quickly. I'm waiting for you to take me flying."

In real history, Compton discovered the Compton effect by studying the scattering phenomenon of X-rays, during which he used a cloud chamber.

He then used Einstein's light quantum hypothesis to explain the effect.

This is also strong evidence that light has particle properties.

From then on, physicists gradually accepted the wave-particle duality of light.

Of course, what Compton proved later was Ridgway's hypothesis.

"Hello, Compton." Li Qiwei extended his right hand.

Compton excitedly held it with both hands. He was extremely excited to see Li Qiwei.

"Professor Bruce, I'm so glad to meet you."

“Your speech was really wonderful.”

"I really hope that one day I can become an outstanding physicist like you."

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "Compton, I believe you."

"Perhaps your eldest brother's position may be passed on to you in the future."

Everyone laughed.

In a subsequent conversation with Compton, Li Qiwei learned that the other party was currently studying for his undergraduate degree at the College of Wooster in Ohio.

It was a private liberal arts college, and Compton's major was philosophy.

Compton obviously liked physics, so why did he study philosophy?

Since his father is a professor of philosophy and dean of Worcester College, everything made sense.

In real history, after Compton's elder brother Carl became the head of the physics department at Princeton, Compton obtained a master's and doctoral degree at Princeton.

Then in 1919, he went to Britain as a visiting scholar, working under the guidance of Thomson and Rutherford, studying the scattering of gamma rays.

He eventually became a professor of physics at the University of Chicago and participated in the subsequent Manhattan Project.

An hour later, Li Qiwei left Princeton University by car amid the farewell of everyone.

And this day is destined to become the most colorful page in the history of Princeton University.

(End of this chapter)