Radiation Chemistry and the Radiation Research Society: A History from the Beginning

• Published in: Radiation research 2002-08, Vol.158 (2), p.127-140
• Main Author: Zimbrick, John D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atoms; Biological and medical sciences; DNA; DNA damage; Electrons; Free radicals; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Hydrogen; Medical sciences; Nuclear chemistry; Radiation; Radiation chemistry; Radiation damage; RADIATION RESEARCH SOCIETY 1952–2002; Radiolysis; Radium - history; Research - history; Societies, Scientific - history; Space life sciences; United States; X-Rays
• ISSN: 0033-7587; 1938-5404
• DOI: 10.1667/0033-7587(2002)158[0127:RRSRCA]2.0.CO;2

Zimbrick, J. D. Radiation Chemistry and the Radiation Research Society: A History from the Beginning. Radiat. Res. 158, 127–140 (2002). Radiation chemistry studies began in the early 20th century with observations involving the decomposition of various materials by X rays and radium. Hugo Fricke recognized that the chemical effects of radiation should be studied to help understand the response of living systems to radiation, and in 1928 he established a laboratory to conduct such studies. Early radiation chemists were intimately involved in the founding of the Radiation Research Society and contributed substantially to its interdisciplinary culture. In this historical review, the highlights of research in radiation chemistry leading up to the founding of the Radiation Research Society in 1952 are discussed. The status of the field is established at that point, and a sampling of the major accomplishments from then until the present is presented, with emphasis on those scientists who have contributed substantially to the life and culture of the Radiation Research Society.