Then and now

Arthur Kantrowitz

doi:10.1117/12.377019

7 February 2000 Then and now

Arthur Kantrowitz

Proceedings Volume 3888, High-Power Lasers in Manufacturing; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.377019
Event: Advanced High-Power Lasers and Applications, 1999, Osaka, Japan

Abstract

I treasure the analogy between aging and climbing a mountain. Of course there are differences, mountain climbing is usually voluntary. As you climb a mountain you lose the ground detail but on a clear day broad views of the landscape are visible. The view from the mountain top is sometimes helpful to those working on the ground. I hope that the broad view of the technological landscape I present today will be of some use to those of you still lucky enough to be tilling that landscape. I will refer primarily to the U.S. scene but I believe that the technological landscape is as universal has human nature. To pursue a vision, to survive the trials and tribulations of innovation requires both individual courage and an encouraging environment. When hopes for living in a better world overshadow fears of departing from time tested practice, innovation thrives. I want to talk today about the enthusiasm for technological progress today and compare it with the situation 30 or 40 years ago. Then most of us looked forward eagerly to advances in technology and to the expansions of humanity's horizons these advances would make possible.

Citation Download Citation

Arthur Kantrowitz "Then and now", Proc. SPIE 3888, High-Power Lasers in Manufacturing, (7 February 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.377019

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
5 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Space telescopes

High power lasers

Cancer

Defense and security

Laser ablation

Molecular biology

Basic research

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years