Then It Rained Particles

Abstract

In the 1930s and 1940s, with people like Rutherford and Lawrence minding the experimental shop and great minds pondering the issue of fundamental particles, there was a relatively happy atmosphere of exploration. Clearly, new physics tools, equations, and methods were available and the exploration of breakthroughs in physics was in the wind. It was inevitable that particle physics would make big strides and make new discoveries. But the pace of particle discoveries became a bit breathless and confusing, and theorists and experimenters had a tough time understanding and tagging these particles. But out of this confusion came one of the most abiding foundations of future physics. Such is the nature of scientific quests.