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Enigma: 1960 by Dr Pat Stevenson
“The world of Science for every reader to enjoy.“
—Sally
The book’s author, Dr Pat Stevenson, tells the story of university research life in the 1960s against the background story of the discovery of the structure of DNA. An entrancing read is the most common feedback so far!
Enigma is set in 1960 in an hypothetical university department in Adelaide, where two fictional students are studying for PhDs. Loosely based on Pat Stevenson’s life experiences, she traces the development of the scientific minds of Judith, Arthur and their university friends and colleagues.
The theme of the book is lack of discrimination in academia between rich and poor; race and gender; united by science as an international endeavour. It is a true historical record of scientific method before computers, photocopiers, detergents and throwaway equipment. While the most important attribute of a scientist is honesty, achievement is dependent on luck and determination.
Dr Stevenson has based the book's characters on her favourite description of the scientific mind:
A Mind, Nimble & Versatile enough to catch the Resemblances of Things, which is the chief point, & at the same time Steady enough to Fix & Discern their Subtle Differences. Endowed by Nature with the Desire to Seek, Patience to Doubt, Fondness to Meditate, Slowness to Assert, Readiness to Reconsider, Carefulness to Set in Order, & neither Affecting what is New nor Admiring what is Old, & hating every kind of imposture.
— Francis Bacon in p 151 of “Selected writings on the interpretation of Nature”, NY Random House, 1955.
Learned Men prefer the Public Good to their own interest
— Francis Bacon
Sally
The world of Science for every reader to enjoy.
This book is definitive for the insight it sheds on the understanding of Science, and the role it plays in our lives. At this time in our history when the findings of Science are continually dismissed, disregarded and doubted, Dr Stevenson shows what it is the Scientists really do, and what it is that the Scientific method shows us. Our world faces many challenges, all of which can only benefit from the objectivity of this Scientific thinking.
Marilyn
This is a well written book by an author who knows her subject thoroughly. It has enough scientific detail to keep science buffs happy, but not too overwhelming for others. Recommended as a good read.
Shirley
I thoroughly enjoyed your book! Can’t wait for volume number 2. I am proud to be friends with someone who contributed so much in your field and had such a distinguished career!
Michéle
Here is a work that sits right on the cusp between fiction and non-fiction, that draws us away from drama to a world where problems are solved in real time, and that still manages to engage us in that pursuit. It’s the treading of that line, the cajoling of the reader back into reality, that becomes another, different challenge – one of composition, and one that this author takes up wholeheartedly.
Gloria
Every reader finds at least one moment in this story that helps you to unlock your own wisdom. Here you begin your journey to discover your real resilience.
From the pages of Enigma: 1960
Judith is first back after lunch. She takes the tubes from the incubator to see if there is growth. Mm. Yes. Most of them are turbid and the most turbid, the ones that have grown best, are the ones at pH 7.6. She adjusts most of the flasks to that pH, and two to 6.5 to see how much difference it makes. She goes looking for the autoclave on the fifth floor and finds it with instructions for use stuck to its door with Durex sticky-tape.
Arthur arrives and helps her carry the flasks up. After studying the instructions closely, they put their flasks, tubes and bottles into the chamber of the instrument and close the vertical door. Judith notices that Arthur takes over the job of clamping it shut. That’s man’s work, obviously. As directed, he screws down opposing clamps, lightly, and finally tightens all ten hard so that the steam can’t escape from the gap.
“It’s easy,” he says, “Same as putting a wheel on a car.” Then, “Oh Lord, my car. I have to rush off.”
Judith raises her eyebrows. “You’ll stay while the autoclave gets up to pressure, won’t you?” She hears herself sounding impatient and is embarrassed, but he keeps mixing personal things with work!
Arthur frowns, obviously anxious to be off. However, he sits by the window and Judith watches, amused, as he pulls at an ear lobe, taps his toe, tightens his tie inside his starched white collar, exercises his neck …
Fortunately, the autoclave was already hot when they started to use it and only takes ten minutes — ten uncomfortable, mute minutes — before the steam starts roaring out. Arthur closes the cock and together they watch the gauge reach 15 lbs pressure, 120 degrees C. Arthur leaves without speaking.
Where’s he going in such a hurry? Is there something wrong with his precious car? Judith tells herself it’s none of her business. She goes to the sixth floor to find Schroedinger’s little book “What is life?”.
An hour later, when she wants to remove the flasks from the autoclave she finds it impossible to loosen the clamps. Arthur is still absent. Blow him! She goes to the second floor and asks Brian to help.
He does, but at the same time, chastens her. “Misused autoclaves blow up. They wreck departments,” he growls. “There’s a departmental rule — always get instruction before using equipment for the first time. Most of the instruments in this department can kill you.
Judith draws breath to argue that the instructions stuck to the autoclave are clear, but decides against it. Brian leaves her to open the door and remove the flasks. She is glad he has gone before she does, for all the medium that was in the flasks is now pooled in the bottom of the autoclave. It has all boiled up and over. All their flasks are empty. Why? What a waste of time! She’ll have to start again, weighing, dissolving, making to volume, pHing, aliquoting … for once she doesn’t feel like singing while she does it.
Where’s Arthur? He should be here to share the frustration! She extracts a handkerchief from her bosom and wipes away her tears of disappointment.
Downstairs in the lab she finds Simon sitting at his desk, the one adjacent to hers. Until she knows she can trust him she’ll not sit beside him when they are alone. She puts the empty flasks on Arthur’s bench and heads for fresh air.
She finds it under her gum tree. Leaning her forehead against its trunk, she listens to its leaves rustling overhead and, comforted, goes to afternoon tea.
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