Laboratory of Dreams

The Microwave Spectroscopy Laboratory in the Research Laboratory was an thriving thing that was somehow more than the sum of its parts. Its grace and vitality came from no particular person and it achieved the aspirations of the individual members without being any ones thing. Yet every research project was an intensely individual effort. The laboratory was active from early morning, 7 , 8, whatever, to late at night, 8, 9, not because of regulations but because those who were there thought it was what they wanted to do. And it had a character and a spirit that somehow mirrored the character and spirit of all. Beside all the serious effort expended, there were silly times that relieved stress and that made broader statements about who the members of the Laboratory were. One such silliness was instigated by Laboratory members Winni Tank and Pat Andre in 1960. They decided that the Laboratory needed to display more openly the superior sense of taste and class that the members were withholding from view. So they ordained that a First Annual Candlelight Lunch would be held. No brown bags, no paper cups, no wax paper sandwiches were to appear that day, only fine linen table clothes, silver flat wear, and, of course, candles in proper candle sticks. On the appointed day cooking pots and Bunsen burners, and gas plates, produced a gourmet meal of many courses. The event took place in the desk room, known as the Togetherness Room. During the meal the room door was quite properly left open so that all the World, and corridor passer-by's, could see what a grand class of humans we really were. The accompanying photos will take you, also, to the scene of the First Annual Candlelight Lunch. Enjoy!

Click a thumbnail image below to see a full-size image.


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Last revised on 12-11-1999. Email: M.W.P. Strandberg