The Bethe that Got Away (Part II)

Thoughts by Alaina G. Levine (continued)

A number of years ago, I was working a gig as the assistant to an editor of a major journal. My job was simple: process the papers as they were submitted and follow up with the referees.

Aside from an occasional 2am call I made to scientists in places like Russia and Denmark reminding them their reviews were overdue, it was a mostly uneventful, but relaxing, position. But one day, I walked into my office and my life changed.

On my desk was a packet that included a type-written paper and a type-written letter. My boss attached a sticky note asking me to copy and file it. Everything was within normal parameters until I glanced at the signature on the letter.

My heart stopped as I read it – the letter was from Hans Bethe.

To me, the offspring of a scholar of physics history, who knew about Oppie and his crew even as a wee one, this was equivalent to being handed an album autographed by a Beatle (specifically Ringo).

The letter was not important to the review process; it was only the cover letter after all, so I asked my boss if I could keep it. He told me no, and instructed me to file it. As a consolation, he offered that when the next Bethe paper came in, I could keep that accompanying letter. I was obviously disappointed but I respected the editor’s decision.

But I pined for the pen of the Prize-winner. So one day a few weeks later, I opened the file just to glance at the signature of this remarkable scientist and dream about adding it to my collection one day. But shocker of shocks, the letter was gone!

I told my boss about it, concerned that some bandit had snuck into the office and stolen this valuable piece of physics history. Surprisingly, he did not display any sense of astonishment at its disappearance. He simply shrugged it off.

My heart sank. The letter was gone, and my dream of a Bethe signature for my collection broke into a million little quark-sized pieces.

Years later, it finally occurred to me that the editor, realizing its value, probably procured the letter for himself and then pretended to not know anything about its departure. Perhaps he has his own collection of Nobel autographs.

I vowed that no one would come between me and a Bethe again. Or for that matter, a Lederman or a Curl. I am getting serious now, and I am still growing my collection. A plan is to put the signatures on the web, and if you would like to contribute, please email me through my website or mail your signature to:

Alaina Levine
PO Box 87225
Tucson, AZ 85754

I welcome autographs from all Nobels, both once and future.

Copyright, 2007, Alaina G. Levine.

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The Bethe that Got Away (Part I)

Thoughts by Alaina G. Levine

Some people collect stamps or model trains. I collect the autographs of Nobel-prize winning scientists. I don’t have many, but my collection is growing.

I started seeking the signatures years ago in a fortuitous moment at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. While doing PR at the fair in 2000, I sat in on a panel discussion with five Nobels.

After the talk concluded, I saw in amazement as the kids in the audience rushed the stage, clutching the event program in their sweaty hands with the focused goal of getting the scientists’ autographs.It was pandemonium. It was chaos (in application, not theory). The scientists were celebrities to these children.

Not to be left out, and realizing the youth often are an excellent barometer of value trends, I grabbed my program and pushed my way through the crowd.

I succeeded in securing what I considered at the time to be the most coveted of the autographs: those of Lederman and Curl. Sure, I knocked down some nerds along the way, but collateral damage is to be expected when your eyes are on the (Nobel) Prize.

Later I ran into Lederman and introduced myself. I had been working for the University of Arizona (UA) Physics Department at the time and I complimented him on his work to promote changes in physics education in secondary school. He took my business card and promised to stay in touch.

Lo and behold, within two weeks he mailed me a packet of articles and information about his cause. And as I read the literature I knew I had scored big time: he had included a personal letter to me thanking me for my help, and signed it “Yours Truly, Leon”.

So I realized I had something here. It didn’t take me long to gather more. Alan Heeger stopped by the campus that fall for a lecture and I got his John Hancock on a promotional poster with his picture. And of course, I couldn’t resist asking Murray Gell-Mann for his autograph following a seminar he gave at the UA on Native American archeology. I think he got a kick out of my request.

Like any dedicated collector, there came a time when I was presented with a monumental opportunity to grab what I considered to be the jackpot, the gold at the end of the physics rainbow, the piece that I knew would make my menagerie the envy of all science geeks everywhere and give my life purpose.

But like the climax of a good movie, just as I had the coveted treasure in reach, it ultimately slipped through my fingers. Here is my tale...

Stay tuned for part II!

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Geek Jewelry

Thoughts by Delight and Peter Edgell

Two high school girls shrieked "Oh boy, geek jewelry" rushing to our booth at the 2005 International Science Fair. We just smiled.

Yeah, we make geek jewelry. It's inspired by the beauty of the Solar System, the joy of understanding a balanced chemical equation, and the exquisite structure of the DNA molecule.

When she taught middle school science, Delight referred to NASA's planet posters on her classoom walls as her "jewels". Upon retirement, she made her Solar System necklace because she "would have killed for it" when she was teaching.

Roadkill was the inspiration for one of Pete's necklaces--the black, yellow, and red bands of an Arizona Coral Snake looked just like a necklace lying there on the pavement.

Customer requests have led to new designs such as the Summer Triangle Necklace which was made for a bride to wear at her wedding ceremony in China.

We have resisted many offers to sell our necklaces in gift shops. A large part of our reward is the direct contact with our customers. We meet so many interesting people doing what we do. Their appreciation of our work gives us great satisfaction. We do have a website because people asked for it. Find us at DelightsEarthlyDelights.com.

Necklaces shown: Gold Solar Delight (Top L), Photosynthesis (Top R), Coral Snake (Bottom L), DNA (Bottom R)


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