Crystals - Alan Holden 1958

This colour film from 1958 and made by the Physical Science Study Committee shows Alan Holden from the Bell Laboratories explaining how crystals are formed and why they are shaped the way they are. The film goes on to show crystals growing while under a microscope. Alan Holden (1904-1985) was a physicist who helped to develop sonar equipment used to detect submarines during World War II. Born in New York City, went to work for the Bell Laboratories Division of the American Telephone and Telegraph Corporation in N.J., after receiving his bachelor's degree from Harvard in physics and mathematics in 1925. Later, in 1935, he joined the research staff where he worked as a physicist until retiring in 1960. During World War II, he helped to develop methods for producing the large crystals that form the heart of the sonar equipment used by the United States Navy to locate enemy submarines. The Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC), made up of a group of MIT scientists, created a series of films in the late 1950s and early 1960s aimed at teaching the physical sciences.
For this film, and several others in our collection, we have tried to contact any known copyright holders and believe it to be an orphan work. If you are the rights holder, would like it to be taken down, or have any more information, please get in touch at [e-mail].
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[@sciencesotherside9506]

I'm an engineer with a great passion for science. Videos and instructors like these are incredibile. Totally on another level.

[@dominicestebanrice7460]

Captivating and brilliant. Thank you!

[@MrKvm96]

Fascinating video. For those dying to hear all the instances of "Alum" by Mr.Holden, here are the time stamps. 01 - 1:37 02 - 1:48 03 - 2:47 04 - 2:59 05 - 3:00 06 - 9:47 07 - 11:42 08 - 16:30 09 - 16:37 10 - 16:50 11 - 17:39 12 - 18:09 13 - 22:41 14 - 23:11 15 - 23:14

[@godfreecharlie]

Whew!!! Some list!

[@godfreecharlie]

Holden's videos are great. His manor of presentation is captivating. I love his statement about cleaving the crystal and calling it a "stunt". This was done I believe to identify with the audience who at the time used the word often. His classes would have been a treat to attend. Lab presentations that aided the understanding of the subject are outstanding. I'm now searching for his videos. Thanks for your thoughtful selections of fabulous lectures.

[@piatpotatopeon8305]

I don't know what I expected when I clicked this video. IT's exactly what it said it would be. Thumbs up for no clickbait.

[@copernicofelinis]

Not surprisingly, this documentary is a gem.

[@PeterMilanovski]

Not afraid to say I don't know what an atom is! I can only tell you where they are and how they are arranged.... This is science!

[@wrichik_basu]

Fabulous! Keep uploading such extraordinary experiments.

[@ScubaDracula]

Mind blown.

[@amandaharras7582]

This is spectacular. Thank you!

[@frederickbowdler8169]

A wonderful lecture.

[@muhammadhyderkhan4245]

I found gem in the shape of this video.🤗

[@jimhiggs6281]

Quality!

[@mbtg112]

My Grandfather (1901-1985) at the kitchen table. They're so close, you can see his brain working with his facial expressions. Same and similar mannerisms and colloquialisms. "Granite's a good example, here's a hunk of it." You can tell when they rolled credits, he fired up a Viceroy.

[@herbyeates9718]

Terrific teacher; accurate, authentic and clear. Love this film.

[@godfreecharlie]

@@herbyeates9718 My 4th viewing and will probably do it again.

[@wes7715]

@@godfreecharlie Any idea what this Salau stuff is? I can't find any reference of it.

[@lauriepayseur5897]

@@wes7715 the bottle he held up spelled it salub

[@ClementinaTeixeiraIST]

@@wes7715 salol, phenyl salicilate, a chemical compound that crystallizes very fast

[@giselylpapazian4268]

Amazing!!!

[@Lua_blox525]

I love it

[@Sundsly]

I was in his son's class at ksu

[@jonathangoschen7196]

Where are these film notes

[@jameswelch5636]

Currently, there's a transcript if you scroll down a bit after clicking for the description. Can't vouch for it's accuracy, however.

[@jeffrobins8946]

I think the bubble experiment should be conducted in a vacuum... Did he establish a growth rate for alum? I witnessed symmetric exponential growth... Temperature is a factor.

[@joxer96]

Some expert, didn't once mention crystals' healing and protective powers. /S