Irving Langmuir received the 1932 Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1932 for “his outstanding discoveries and investigations in surface chemistry.” The basis of the prize included the spreading of an oil film and a determination of the lateral pressure with which such a film opposes attempts to diminish its surface. In the presentation speech it was stated “the greatest honor is due to the first man, the pioneer, who has broken new ground, than to the cultivators of ground already cleared, however industrious they may be.” By this definition, Agnes Pockels should have been included since she did the pioneering work on the spreading of an oil film. Blodgett’s work on films was pioneering but it may not have been advanced enough by 1932 for her to be considered for the Prize.

Should the 1932 Nobel Prize be awarded to Langmuir, Pockels and Blodgett?

254th National Meeting (2017)

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