4 PHYSICS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
In the same way that Edison's lightbulb revolutionized modern
civilization, a force field could profoundly affect every aspect of our
lives. The military could use force fields to become invulnerable, creating an impenetrable shield against enemy missiles and bullets.
Bridges, superhighways, and roads could in theory be built by simply
pressing a button. Entire cities could sprout instantly in the desert,
with skyscrapers made entirely of force fields. Force fields erected over
cities could enable their inhabitants to modify the effects of their
weather-high winds, blizzards, tornados-at will. Cities could be built
under the oceans within the safe canopy of a force field. Glass, steel,
and mortar could be entirely replaced.
Yet oddly enough a force field is perhaps one of the most difficult
devices to create in the laboratory. In fact, some physicists believe it
might actually be impossible, without modifying its properties.
MICHAEL FARADAY
The concept of force fields originates from the work of the great nineteenth-century British scientist Michael Faraday.
Faraday was born to working-class parents (his father was a blacksmith) and eked out a meager existence as an apprentice bookbinder
in the early 1800s. The young Faraday was fascinated by the enormous
breakthroughs in uncovering the mysterious properties of two new
forces: electricity and magnetism. Faraday devoured all he could concerning these topics and attended lectures by Professor Humphrey
Davy of the Royal Institution in London.
One day Professor Davy severely damaged his eyes in a chemical
accident and hired Faraday to be his secretary. Faraday slowly began
to win the confidence of the scientists at the Royal Institution and was
allowed to conduct important experiments of his own, although he was
often slighted. Over the years Professor Davy grew increasingly jealous
of the brilliance shown by his young assistant, who was a rising star in
experimental circles, eventually eclipsing Davy's own fame. After Davy
In the same way that Edison's lightbulb revolutionized modern
civilization, a force field could profoundly affect every aspect of our
lives. The military could use force fields to become invulnerable, creating an impenetrable shield against enemy missiles and bullets.
Bridges, superhighways, and roads could in theory be built by simply
pressing a button. Entire cities could sprout instantly in the desert,
with skyscrapers made entirely of force fields. Force fields erected over
cities could enable their inhabitants to modify the effects of their
weather-high winds, blizzards, tornados-at will. Cities could be built
under the oceans within the safe canopy of a force field. Glass, steel,
and mortar could be entirely replaced.
Yet oddly enough a force field is perhaps one of the most difficult
devices to create in the laboratory. In fact, some physicists believe it
might actually be impossible, without modifying its properties.
MICHAEL FARADAY
The concept of force fields originates from the work of the great nineteenth-century British scientist Michael Faraday.
Faraday was born to working-class parents (his father was a blacksmith) and eked out a meager existence as an apprentice bookbinder
in the early 1800s. The young Faraday was fascinated by the enormous
breakthroughs in uncovering the mysterious properties of two new
forces: electricity and magnetism. Faraday devoured all he could concerning these topics and attended lectures by Professor Humphrey
Davy of the Royal Institution in London.
One day Professor Davy severely damaged his eyes in a chemical
accident and hired Faraday to be his secretary. Faraday slowly began
to win the confidence of the scientists at the Royal Institution and was
allowed to conduct important experiments of his own, although he was
often slighted. Over the years Professor Davy grew increasingly jealous
of the brilliance shown by his young assistant, who was a rising star in
experimental circles, eventually eclipsing Davy's own fame. After Davy