Ontdekking en toepassing in die fisika

Inaugural lecture--Department of Physics, Rand Afrikaans University, 19 March 1970@@The interaction between physics and technology is discussed with reference to the history of electric power transmission and especially of electronic communication systems. The general pattern is one in which basic scientific dis~ coveries often lead to new technology. Frequently the scientists do not anticipate the far-reaching consequences of their discoveries. The new technology often places new techniques at the disposal of the scientist, which in turn lead to new discoveries. It is suggested that research will play the same role in South Africa's more sophisticated industries as that played in the past by steel in the development of our secondary industries.