‘Peace Bridge’ Across Bering Strait? : Scientist Accepts a Medal, Hands Reagan a Proposal
President Reagan got some unexpected advice from a California engineer who was one of 26 scientists honored in Washington this week with the nation’s highest awards for achievements in science and technology.
During the ceremony Wednesday, Tung Yen Lin, a former professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who was cited for his work with prestressed concrete, handed Reagan a 16-page booklet describing plans for a “peace bridge” that would link the Soviet Union and the United States with a 50-mile span across the Bering Strait.
The President, who had earlier called on the scientists to support research for his Strategic Defense Initiative space defense system, appeared surprised by Lin’s gesture. Reagan said, “Thank you,” and handed Lin’s booklet to a military aide.
Lin’s proposal said the billion-dollar bridge could lead to increased commerce and tourism between the two countries.
Seven other California scientists received National Medals of Science or National Medals of Technology:
- Harry B. Gray, professor of chemistry, Caltech, for research in bioinorganic chemistry and inorganic photochemistry, including work that may lead to production of energy-rich molecules with sunlight.
- Robert Hofstadter, professor of physics, Stanford University, for his discovery and development of the sodium iodide scintillation counter, which is used in spectroscopy in virtually all branches of science.
- Yuan Tseh Lee, professor of chemistry, UC Berkeley, for the development of molecular beam techniques and their application to the study of chemical dynamics.
- Hans W. Leipmann, professor of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, Caltech, for theoretical and experimental advances in the study of turbulence, shock waves, aerodynamic noise, the mechanics of liquid helium and other fields.
- Bernard M. Oliver, program manager, NASA Ames Research Center, for his work in translating sophisticated physics knowledge and communications theory into practical applications in electronics and computers.
- Frank H. Westheimer, visiting professor, UC San Diego, for investigation of the mechanisms of organic and enzymic reactions.
Receiving a National Medal of Technology was:
- Reynold B. Johnson, formerly with IBM, Palo Alto, for the introduction and development of magnetic disk storage for computers.
