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Department of the History of Science
Harvard University

Holyoke Genter 838, Cambridge, Mass. 02138

617-495-3741
29 November 1974
Professor Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics, School of Medicine

Stanford University
Stanford, California 94305

Dear Professor Lederberg:

It is a little frightening to have placed before me a xeroxed
copy of a letter written by me two decades ago. When I first read it,
I could hardly believe the evidence of my senses, but I must admit
that in fact I am the author of the letter, and the xerox copy is exact.

I cannot presently remember where or how I came upon Oliver
Lodge as the source, and if I were to hazard a guess today (but a pure
guess, without any real information), I would probably choose Crookes,
perhaps only because he was not one who believed in new subjects
opening up in the sciences or their applications. I am enclosing a
reprint of mine that deals with this subject, that may amuse you.

The question itself is an intriguing one, which arises periodi-
cally. I well remember a correspondence I had with K.K. Darrow on
this topic, the result of which was his letter in Isis, to which Brush
refers in the published correspondence.

Sorry that I cannot be of more help, but possibly I may come .
upon something one of these days. If so, I shall let you know.

Yehuda and Yudith Elkana spoke warmly of you, when the passed
through Cambridge on their wy home. It would be very pleasant were I
to have the chance to meet you. Possibly, I will be at the Stanford
Center in academic 76-77, when this would be possible.

Sincerely,

I. Bernard CoMfen
Professor the History of Science