The Woodstock of Physics Remembered

20 years ago, around this time of the year, the landmark event called the Woodstock of Physics occurred during the APS March Meeting in New York. It was the year after Bednorz and Mueller discovered high-Tc superconductors.

This article recounts those euphoric moments where physicists became the center of attention of the public and the media. Many years later, a similar, but not in the same scale, gathering of physicists during the 2001 APS March Meeting in Seattle occured. Dubbed Physics Woodstock West, it was precipitated by the discovery of superconductivity in MgB2 at ~50K by the Akimitsu group.

Physicists seldom get overly excited by anything. But when they do, it is an event not to be missed!

:)

Incidentally, the 2007 APS March Meeting is going on this week in Denver, CO.

Zz.