x
Foreword
From the beginning of the project every author knew the complete list of authors. The authors were encouraged to write personal views of the history of physical
oceanography, the exception being Bruce Warren to whom we are indebted for the
historical introduction. In line with the idea of abandoning objectivity, there was no
formal review process. This makes the success of this book rely on the moral integrity
of the authors, and we believe that each author made an effort to be subjective yet
fair. The function of the editors was largely restricted to asking for clarifications in
the submitted manuscripts.
Editing this book and the related discussions with many scientists proved exciting and illuminating. It illustrated that science is a social enterprise shaped by a
community of individuals and the occasional element of chance. It made clear to us
that progress relies on communication across the boundaries of disciplines and is
made over decades, not months. Based on the following chapters it appears to us that
two things stand out in the history of physical oceanography: large programs, which
seem to have the power to create a community out of individuals, and the person of
Henry Stommel, who provided inspiration to many.
Markus Jochum
Raghu Murtugudde
Fall, 2005
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book would not have been written without the initial encouragement of Nelson
Hogg, David Kaiser, Joe Pedlosky, and Carl Wunsch. The editors are also grateful
to Peter Gent and Bill Large as invaluable sources of historical information and
general advice, and to Gustavo Goni for advice on publishing books. The editors
were supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (M.J.) and the
University of Maryland (R.M.).
Foreword
From the beginning of the project every author knew the complete list of authors. The authors were encouraged to write personal views of the history of physical
oceanography, the exception being Bruce Warren to whom we are indebted for the
historical introduction. In line with the idea of abandoning objectivity, there was no
formal review process. This makes the success of this book rely on the moral integrity
of the authors, and we believe that each author made an effort to be subjective yet
fair. The function of the editors was largely restricted to asking for clarifications in
the submitted manuscripts.
Editing this book and the related discussions with many scientists proved exciting and illuminating. It illustrated that science is a social enterprise shaped by a
community of individuals and the occasional element of chance. It made clear to us
that progress relies on communication across the boundaries of disciplines and is
made over decades, not months. Based on the following chapters it appears to us that
two things stand out in the history of physical oceanography: large programs, which
seem to have the power to create a community out of individuals, and the person of
Henry Stommel, who provided inspiration to many.
Markus Jochum
Raghu Murtugudde
Fall, 2005
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book would not have been written without the initial encouragement of Nelson
Hogg, David Kaiser, Joe Pedlosky, and Carl Wunsch. The editors are also grateful
to Peter Gent and Bill Large as invaluable sources of historical information and
general advice, and to Gustavo Goni for advice on publishing books. The editors
were supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (M.J.) and the
University of Maryland (R.M.).