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The fundamentals of radio
Feb., I93o.]
BOOK REVIEWS.
277
WINCHELL,N. H., AND A. N. WINCHELL. Elements of Optical Mineralogy: an Introduction to Microscopic Petrography. Entirely rewritten and much enlarged by Alexander N. Winchell. Second edition. Parts two and three. Two volumes. 1927-1929 .
BOOK REVIEWS. THE RAYON INDUSTRY. By Moi's H. Avram, B.Sc., M.E. Second Edition. 893 pages, illustrations, 8vo. New York, D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., 1929. Price, $I2.OO. A full notice was given of the first edition of this book and little remains to say of the present issue except t h a t like its predecessor, it contains a very large amount of information concerning the composition, manufacture and marketing of artificial fibers, which have acquired in a few years a most important position in the textile field. The four types of products are treated in detail, viscose being the dominant product. A historical note gives accounts of the struggles of the early workers in the field. Such accounts are now-a-days interesting since, in the rapid progress of applied science, similar stories are always in the making. In earlier days, the artificial fiber was a nitrated product, but at present the bulk of material in the market is pure cellulose. Viscose is of this composition, but is obtained through transformation of cellulose xanthate. The details ot manufacture of the artificial fibers are set forth fully with many tables relating to marketing and grading. An opportune note is given showing the troubles Congress has had in imposing a satisfactory duty on imported materials. In the notice of the first edition the reviewer felt obliged to criticize unfavorably some features of the book. It was over-illustrated, large photogravures having no value in the purpose of the book not only add directly to cost, but require the use of a highly surfaced paper, increasing cost indirectly. The literary style was slipshod and often involved. Ordinary rules of grammar were often disregarded. " D a t a i s " seems to be the only form the author knows. The printer's proof-reader might have caught this error. It was hoped t h a t some attention would be paid to these criticisms, but the financial success of the book has caused a u t h o r and publisher to receive the suggestions in the manner t h a t Nicholas Koorn received the proclamation of William the Testy, read by A n t h o n y the T r u m p e t e r before the fortress of Bensellaerstein. Well, if Ephraim is determined to be joined to his idols, let him go. HENRY LEFFMANN. THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIO. By R. R. Ramsey, Ph.D., Professor of Physics, Indiana University, Member Inst. Radio Eng.; Fellow Am. Phys. Soc.; Fellow A. A. A. S.; Fellow Ind. Acad. Science, Author, " E x p e r i m e n t a l Radio." xi-372 pages, illustrations, 8vo, cloth. Bloomington, Ramsey Publishing Company, I929. Price, $3.5o. EXPERIMENTAL RADIO. By R. R. Ramsey. Third Edition, enlarged, xii-255 pages, illustrations, i2mo, cloth. Bloomington, Ramsey Publishing Company, I929. Price, $2.75. By far the largest number of devotees to radio science are those who must approach the subject with the least possible mathematical attainment, and there
278
Book
REVIEWS.
[J. F. I.
is no doubt t h a t an understandable explanation of related phenomena, which generally are presented in mathematical language, can be made by the judicious use of descriptive ingenuity with the aid of elementary mathematics. The reader who has yet to complete his mathematical studies and seeks applicable knowledge of radio theory will find this book admirably suited to his purpose. Others as well, who have gone further in mathematical preparation, can wisely adopt it as a sound and profitable introduction, however farther they may desire to proceed. It may be mentioned t h a t a subject of this kind, which deals with variables a n d their functions, necessarily entails t h e exercise of mathematical faculty, and those who are capable of mastering a treatise of this kind can, time permitting, qualify in the mathematics of customary texts on electrical theory. Unfortunately, " t i m e " is often a most vexing item in t h a t specification. Here and there the author does introduce a little calculus, but t h a t need not deter t h e reader who is unacquainted with t h a t subject from a perusal of the book since in the few instances in which it is used, he m a y accept the results derived by its use. Moreover those sections are developed and explained in a way helpful to t h e non-mathematical reader. After a short account of the elements of electricity and magnetism, the reader is prepared for the subsequent chapters which deal specifically with radio and its multiplicity of devices of operation and control which a t least by name have become familiar through widespread commercialization a n d use. The discussions are thorough, well illustrated and precise, and the serious student will be amply repaid for the effort required in mastering the analytic features which accompany the extensive descriptive m a t t e r of this book. Laboratory manuals h a v e become a familiar adjunct in all branches of experimental physical science, a helptul m a p of the territory to be covered with information as to procedure and a bit of theory here a n d there. Doctor Ramsey has collected the results of a long experience in his laboratory course in r a d i o - t h a t is, long as measured b y the age of modern r a d i o - - i n t o a laboratory manual of representative tests and other information of the actualities of the subject. In the one hundred and twenty-eight experiments which are scheduled, all the usual measurements on inductance, capacity resonance, tube characteristics and other components which enter into the ensemble of the circuits of radio a p p a r a t u s are adequately described. It is a most satisfactory collection of experimental data and method. With this volume and the one above noted, Doctor Ramsey has done much to place within the reach of all who have the will to learn t h e means to proceed. L. E. P. MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT OF BUILDINGS. By Louis Allen Harding, D.S., M.E., and A r t h u r Cutts Willard, S.B. Volume I, Heating and Ventilation, a reference book for engineers, architects and contractors. Second edition, revised and enlarged, x-963 pages, illustrations, 8vo, imitation leather. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1929 . Price, $IO.OO. Literature in all branches of technology has kept pace in volume and diversification with the tremendous strides of industrial development which we have witnessed in the course of the last three decades, though heating and ventilation seems to have lagged a bit in the early years. Prior to the nineties, there was little
BOOK REVIEWS.
277
WINCHELL,N. H., AND A. N. WINCHELL. Elements of Optical Mineralogy: an Introduction to Microscopic Petrography. Entirely rewritten and much enlarged by Alexander N. Winchell. Second edition. Parts two and three. Two volumes. 1927-1929 .
BOOK REVIEWS. THE RAYON INDUSTRY. By Moi's H. Avram, B.Sc., M.E. Second Edition. 893 pages, illustrations, 8vo. New York, D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., 1929. Price, $I2.OO. A full notice was given of the first edition of this book and little remains to say of the present issue except t h a t like its predecessor, it contains a very large amount of information concerning the composition, manufacture and marketing of artificial fibers, which have acquired in a few years a most important position in the textile field. The four types of products are treated in detail, viscose being the dominant product. A historical note gives accounts of the struggles of the early workers in the field. Such accounts are now-a-days interesting since, in the rapid progress of applied science, similar stories are always in the making. In earlier days, the artificial fiber was a nitrated product, but at present the bulk of material in the market is pure cellulose. Viscose is of this composition, but is obtained through transformation of cellulose xanthate. The details ot manufacture of the artificial fibers are set forth fully with many tables relating to marketing and grading. An opportune note is given showing the troubles Congress has had in imposing a satisfactory duty on imported materials. In the notice of the first edition the reviewer felt obliged to criticize unfavorably some features of the book. It was over-illustrated, large photogravures having no value in the purpose of the book not only add directly to cost, but require the use of a highly surfaced paper, increasing cost indirectly. The literary style was slipshod and often involved. Ordinary rules of grammar were often disregarded. " D a t a i s " seems to be the only form the author knows. The printer's proof-reader might have caught this error. It was hoped t h a t some attention would be paid to these criticisms, but the financial success of the book has caused a u t h o r and publisher to receive the suggestions in the manner t h a t Nicholas Koorn received the proclamation of William the Testy, read by A n t h o n y the T r u m p e t e r before the fortress of Bensellaerstein. Well, if Ephraim is determined to be joined to his idols, let him go. HENRY LEFFMANN. THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIO. By R. R. Ramsey, Ph.D., Professor of Physics, Indiana University, Member Inst. Radio Eng.; Fellow Am. Phys. Soc.; Fellow A. A. A. S.; Fellow Ind. Acad. Science, Author, " E x p e r i m e n t a l Radio." xi-372 pages, illustrations, 8vo, cloth. Bloomington, Ramsey Publishing Company, I929. Price, $3.5o. EXPERIMENTAL RADIO. By R. R. Ramsey. Third Edition, enlarged, xii-255 pages, illustrations, i2mo, cloth. Bloomington, Ramsey Publishing Company, I929. Price, $2.75. By far the largest number of devotees to radio science are those who must approach the subject with the least possible mathematical attainment, and there
278
Book
REVIEWS.
[J. F. I.
is no doubt t h a t an understandable explanation of related phenomena, which generally are presented in mathematical language, can be made by the judicious use of descriptive ingenuity with the aid of elementary mathematics. The reader who has yet to complete his mathematical studies and seeks applicable knowledge of radio theory will find this book admirably suited to his purpose. Others as well, who have gone further in mathematical preparation, can wisely adopt it as a sound and profitable introduction, however farther they may desire to proceed. It may be mentioned t h a t a subject of this kind, which deals with variables a n d their functions, necessarily entails t h e exercise of mathematical faculty, and those who are capable of mastering a treatise of this kind can, time permitting, qualify in the mathematics of customary texts on electrical theory. Unfortunately, " t i m e " is often a most vexing item in t h a t specification. Here and there the author does introduce a little calculus, but t h a t need not deter t h e reader who is unacquainted with t h a t subject from a perusal of the book since in the few instances in which it is used, he m a y accept the results derived by its use. Moreover those sections are developed and explained in a way helpful to t h e non-mathematical reader. After a short account of the elements of electricity and magnetism, the reader is prepared for the subsequent chapters which deal specifically with radio and its multiplicity of devices of operation and control which a t least by name have become familiar through widespread commercialization a n d use. The discussions are thorough, well illustrated and precise, and the serious student will be amply repaid for the effort required in mastering the analytic features which accompany the extensive descriptive m a t t e r of this book. Laboratory manuals h a v e become a familiar adjunct in all branches of experimental physical science, a helptul m a p of the territory to be covered with information as to procedure and a bit of theory here a n d there. Doctor Ramsey has collected the results of a long experience in his laboratory course in r a d i o - t h a t is, long as measured b y the age of modern r a d i o - - i n t o a laboratory manual of representative tests and other information of the actualities of the subject. In the one hundred and twenty-eight experiments which are scheduled, all the usual measurements on inductance, capacity resonance, tube characteristics and other components which enter into the ensemble of the circuits of radio a p p a r a t u s are adequately described. It is a most satisfactory collection of experimental data and method. With this volume and the one above noted, Doctor Ramsey has done much to place within the reach of all who have the will to learn t h e means to proceed. L. E. P. MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT OF BUILDINGS. By Louis Allen Harding, D.S., M.E., and A r t h u r Cutts Willard, S.B. Volume I, Heating and Ventilation, a reference book for engineers, architects and contractors. Second edition, revised and enlarged, x-963 pages, illustrations, 8vo, imitation leather. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1929 . Price, $IO.OO. Literature in all branches of technology has kept pace in volume and diversification with the tremendous strides of industrial development which we have witnessed in the course of the last three decades, though heating and ventilation seems to have lagged a bit in the early years. Prior to the nineties, there was little