The Chemist's Most Creative Years
Here is some diversionary reading for the professional man, whether in his prime or at the climacteric stage of his career. The most important creative work of the world's ablest chemists as judged by historians of science was ascertained, and a tabulation made of the contributions of each individual prior to and succeeding his most outstanding achievement. The findings are presented in a series of interesting tables and charts. Celebrated chemists achieved their maximum creativity between the ages of 30 and 34 years. Of course many lesser achievements preceded and followed the date of appearance of what was judged to be their greatest contribution. This apparent tendency to exceptional achievement being the product of the years between 30 and 34, with a subsequent decline, is not considered by the author to be inevitable or to reveal any fundamental physiologic or psychologic attributes of talented individuals. It is stated that psychologists believe that few persons ever actually reach the peak of performance of which they are capable. In a brief consideration of possible reasons for this sequence of events, it is suggested that the intrusion of the distractions of added responsibilities customarily thrust upon distinguished persons, and a loss of the motivation which stirs men in their youth, are important factors. The application of the findings of this survey to the conservation of scientific manpower is also considered.
