4 ms·
How long was the time gap from quantum machanics work in the 1920s until serious practical applications for that work?
by esrauch 4y ago
How long was the time gap from quantum machanics work in the 1920s until serious practical applications for that work?
- BeetleB 4y agoMost semiconductor applications involve an understanding of QM. The transistor was invented in 1948. So not too long after. Also, nuclear power...
- AprilArcus 4y agooff the cuff, non-exhaustive list: 1930s — video image tubes 1940s — nuclear power, atomic clocks, transistors 1960s — lasers, fiber-optic communications, PET-CT scans 1970s — MRIs
- deanCommie 4y agoIt's worth acknowledging that the fears of the cold war funded tremendous scientific and technological innovation on both sides of the iron curtain. People had singular focus - not on the betterment of humanity in the abstract sense, but for primal SURVIVAL - because both sides believed that if given the chance the other would wipe them out. This created a unifying focus (amongst two divided sides). A lot of people have hoped for some event to unify humanity (like the space squid in the watchmen) towards a common goal again. Alas, COVID has shown that is just simply not possible any longer.
- somewhereoutth 4y agoCuriously, and sadly, it seems that the only threat we are always primed and ready to deal with is other humans. Which I suppose makes sense given our 'tribe' ancestry.