Evolution of Physics

Abstract

From the Authors' Preface

Before you begin reading, you rightly expect some simple questions to be answered. For what purpose has this book been written? Who is the imaginary reader for whom it is meant? It is difficult to begin by answering these questions clearly and convincingly. This would be much easier, though quite superfluous, at the end of the book. We find it simpler to say just what this book does not intend to be. We have not written a textbook of physics. Here is no systematic course in elementary physical facts and theories. Our intention was rather to sketch in broad outline the attempts of the human mind to find a connection between the world of ideas and the world of phenomena. We have tried to show the active forces which compel science to invent ideas corresponding to the reality of our world. [...] The book is a simple chat between you and us. You may find it boring or interesting, dull or exciting, but our aim will be accomplished if these pages give you some idea of the eternal struggle of the inventive human mind for a fuller understanding of the laws governing physical phenomena.

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P2P Editor Bibliographic Note

The first edition of the book was published in 1938 {Open Library, ID=OL5816183M). The edition on which the source for the present file is based, is undated, and marked 'Scientific Book Club'. The subsequent bibliographic research indicates the probable publication date as 1939 (see WorldCat items 8124880, 721210008; see Google citation for ID=nJClngEACAAJ; see a 1940 review of this precise 'Scientific Book Club' edition at SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System). The only pictures and physical book description found for the original 1939 book come from Mollan Rare Books, Dublin, Ireland via AbeBooks. Those pictures were used for reconstructing the cover used in the present P2P digital edition.