Statements and Books
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The relevance of the morphological methodology is in the development of analytical and synthesizing methods for deriving the totality of all possible solutions of sufficiently defined given problems. This methodology shows the way to accomplish - along certain validation principles for the totality of all solutions - for selecting specific solutions.

Books on General Morphology

• Fritz Zwicky
  • Discovery, Invention, Research through the Morphological Approach
  • Entdecken, Erfinden, Forschen im Morphologischen Weltbild
  • Jeder ein Genie
• Fritz Zwicky and Albert G. Wilson
  • New Methods of Thought and Procedure
• Hermann Holliger
  • Handbuch der Allgemeinen Morphologie - Denken in geordneter Form
• Autorenteam
  • Erfolg mit Morphologie
• Myron S. Allen
  • Morphological Creativity: The Miracle of your Hidden Brain Power
• Simon Majaro
  • The Creative Gap
• More books
  • Contact Morphological Institute Canada (see address page), or email get email address

Strange Cases from the Files of Astronomical Sociology

Kevin Krisciunas

University of Washington
Department of Astronomy
Box 351580
Seattle, WA 98195-1580 USA

One of the most brilliant astronomers of all time was Fritz Zwicky (1898-1974). He made many significant breakthroughs, among them the discovery of the ``dark matter" permeating the Coma cluster of galaxies.

In the January 19, 1934 edition of the Los Angeles Times Zwicky was lampooned in a cartoon entitled ``Be Scientific with Ol' Doc Dabble," in which it says: ``Cosmic rays are caused by exploding stars which burn with a fire equal to 100 million suns and then shrivel from 1/2 million mile diameters to little spheres 14 miles thick." In the polemical introduction to Zwicky's Catalogue of Selected Compact Galaxies and of Post-Eruptive Galaxies (1971), known simply as ``The Red Book," Zwicky quotes the cartoon and comments: ``This, in all modesty, I claim to be one of the most concise triple predictions ever made in science." Why? Because it correctly describes the nature of origin of cosmic rays, supernovae, and the formation of neutron stars.

Zwicky was fond of standing up in seminars to remind the speaker that Zwicky had solved the particular question many years before. He also used to refer to other astronomers at Mt. Wilson and Palomar as spherical bastards. Why ``spherical"? Because they were bastards any way you look at them. One time Zwicky had the night assistant at the 200- inch fire a bullet out the dome slit in the direction the telescope was pointing to see if that improved the seeing. It did not.

Preston, Richard, First Light: The Search for the Edge of the Universe, (New York: New American Library), 1987, p. 114.

We have received a comment from Fritz Zwicky's daughter on this statement by Preston. She writes:

Dear Sir: I note on your website that you make mention of Richard Preston's book. In my opinion, Mr. Preston is highly insulting to my father, highlights physical characteristics in derogatory manner and is venomous is spirit. It is unfortunate, that inaccurate portrayals against decedents are allowed to stand, while they and their families have little or no recourse in defense. Few of us escape the ravages of old age and illness, but we hope this will never become grounds for literary intrusion. The example you give was a valid experiment on Mt. Palomar and not the distortion written about. Ben Traxier, the night assistant, wrote to me terribly ill shortly before his death. He also wrote to Mr. Preston regarding this matter, correcting the story. He was very upset that the whole truth was not being told. My father, as a Swiss national, worked for the defense of this country in World War 11. For his efforts, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Truman. The coinages "supernova" and "dark matter' originated with him, as did much of rocket science in America. 1 would suggest you highlight these aspects of his life. The fact that my father was referring to the spherical nescience to truth by his colleagues regarding his work, is now verified in the fifty years it took them to finally confirm his theories. Unfortunately, there are many mediocre authors that seek to elevate themselves by sensationalizing tales of the greatest astronomer of all time. What a nuisance! 1 will continue the counterfort of my father. His life and work stand as restorative truth against literary siege. Sincerely,
Barbarina Zwicky

Preston's statement was found on the internet many years ago, long before B. Zwicky worked on the internet. We are very supportive on information on Fritz Zwicky. Given the copyright problems and the time it takes to research about his life in California (we sent 100eds of e-mails to many people in the area, even his secretary responded) we take information where we find it. It is up to B. Zwicky to provide more good information on the internet about her father. We shall gladly include a link in our website to her information.
Our opinion on Preston's statements is simply this: In the quote he pointed out some actions by Fritz Zwicky which contain a good deal of black humour. There is more of the kind in Zwicky's own books. We leave it to the readers to check out Preston's book (and other authors who mention Zwicky) to form their own opinion. We do not see a reason to remove the quotes until we receive prove that the quotes are actually wrong.
May 2003.