History of the High Pressure Conferences
Gordon Research Conferences

   Gordon Research Conferences on Research at High Pressure are held on even years, usually at Kimball Union Academy during the last week of June.  They bring together scientists from a wide range of disciplines who have in common the use of pressure for furthering their studies.  Among the presenters are representatives from physics, chemistry, materials science, metallurgy, geology, astronomy, and biology.   High pressure is an exceptional basis for bringing scientists together as it offers a rare opportunity for exchange of ideas among scientists who otherwise might not have a reason to communicate.  Particularly important has been the dissemination of information about techniques for generating high pressures and making observations on samples subjected to high pressures.  In addition there is the fascination of learning how others have used high pressure techniques to make important discoveries in their own fields.  There has been a very loyal core of attendees who have provided the continuity for these conferences and so there will be some faces that appear year after year in the group photos.  Just as important, however, are the new faces that appear as high pressure studies grow in importance as well as numbers.

    The Director of the Gordon Research Conference, Dr. Carlyle B. Storm, is undertaking a project to put together a history of all previous Gordon Conferences.   This web site is a collection of group photographs and other items relating to the conferences on research at high pressure.   Bill Bassett has volunteered to assemble information pertaining to the high-pressure conferences and would be pleased to include any photos, reminiscences, or notes that you would be willing to send him. Please contact him at his e-mail address:   bassett@geology.cornell.edu 

    It is a policy of the Gordon Research Conferences that no reference be made in any publication to the talks or posters presented at these conferences.   This is a good policy, but it makes it difficult to document the important role that these conferences have played in the development of our research.  Perhaps as you look at the following photos, you will see familiar faces of individuals from whom you learned some important piece of information.  If you remember any interesting incidents and would like to share them, please let Bill Bassett know at bassett@geology.cornell.edu.

List of Group Photographs of Attendees at the Gordon Research Conferences on Research at High Pressure

The 1966 photo was just found.

Fathers of high pressure research: P.W. Bridgman & Harry G. Drickamer, 1960

Jamieson and Van Valkenburg Awards

The Jamieson and Van Valkenburg Awards are given at each conference to young, promising scientists in the field of high pressure research.  Besides the honor of the award, the recipient receives both a check to help support his/her attendance at the conference plus the opportunity during the conference to give a short talk highlighting his/her research.

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