A story of physics at Yale
Old Laboratory. Image courtesy of Yale Archives.
Eun-Joo Ahn, lecturer in physics and a member of Yale’s Wright Lab, presented “A Story of Physics at Yale” at the October 27 Physics Club. Physics Club is the main colloquium series of the Yale Department of Physics.
Ahn, who is both an astrophysicist and a historian of science, has been uncovering the history of the department and of Wright Lab since 2024.
Ahn explained that the story of physics at Yale is a story (with an intended stress on the “a”) that can also illuminate how physics developed in the United States, supported by continuous change that reflects both Yale’s and individuals’ interaction with their socio-economic and natural environments.
Ahn’s talk followed the path of the physical sciences at Yale from the founding of the college in 1701 as a theological institution that promoted the study of natural philosophy with the intention to prepare ministers to better understand the divine to today’s liberal arts university that enables cutting-edge research and teaching in the field of physics by means of an academic department and several complementary institutes.
Ahn said, “I believe one pillar of Yale physics’ robustness is the college and university’s advocacy for liberal education instead of specialization.”
The presentation highlighted significant research milestones in the physical sciences at Yale, such as being the first to investigate X-rays in 1896; the continuous development of scientific facilities for the physical sciences at Yale; and some of the people at Yale who contributed to these developments and to the field of physics, including Edward Bouchet and Arthur Wright.
Ahn said, “The evolution of this department towards a larger diversity of people, teaching, research, and outreach happened over a long period of time and was the work of many people—both those in positions of power (like department chairs) or large influence and those without or with lesser power/influence.”
Ahn is currently working on producing a timeline of Physics at Yale that will be placed in the administrative hallway of the Sloane Physics Laboratory, as well as a timeline of the history of Wright Lab that will be placed on the second floor of the lab.
The talk will be made available on the Yale Physics YouTube channel.