Talk:Lester Germer

Latest comment: 9 years ago by Athaler in topic Alma mater and advisor?

Review comments edit

Some suggestions for improvement as the article is expanded:

  • Template:Infobox Scientist should be added
  • Photograph should be added from a source with a free license, if available
  • Some basic biographical information required, including precise date and place of birth, precise date of death, positions held (with dates), any family details
  • Article needs expanding and should emphasise reasons for notability of subject
  • Article should be divided into appropriate subheadings
  • Information on research should be expanded and references required
  • References should be expanded and preferably converted to inline format
  • External links to useful online resources should be added if available

Espresso Addict 00:54, 18 July 2007 (UTC)Reply


The account of Germer's relationship to the AMC is self-contradictory. On the one hand, it says he was never associated with the AMC, and on the other hand, it says he was denied certification by the AMC Safety Committee, a denial that could only exist if he was, in some way, associated with the organization. Perhaps a more careful reading of Yankee Rock and Ice would be in order. Rjgold (talk) 03:15, 11 October 2011 (UTC)Reply

Not sure where to place my comments nor how to effect an edit, also would like corroboration from others. I have some first hand knowledge re. Lester Germer. He took me on my 3rd climb at the 'Gunks' in 1958. At that time I was a Physics major @ CCNY. I would like to address 2 minor issues: 1. The above mentioned "self contradiction" is the underlying principle at the root of a significant rebellion against AMC regimentation which occurred in the very early 60's (see Dick Williams " The Climbers Guide to the Shawungunks") . Perhaps the word 'association' is used too broadly- or rather too simply. By being in the same neighborhood, engaged in the same practice, one can be considered to be associating. However even if one was a member of the AMC but was averse to their overbearing guidelines and was deliberately violating their "rules" one could be and in fact WAS considered by the AMC to be ANTI-associational - somewhat of an outcast - very not politically correct. So whether or not he was even a member is irrelevant - what is essential is that he played independently by his own rules. Guy Waterman's "Yankee Rock & Ice" can NOT reveal any more truth than is being presented here. Ironically enough, his health was severely compromised by following AMC "rules" on a climb of the Otter Body Snowfield route in the Grand Tetons 1962 when he and 10 others did not prudently turn back but continued to follow the leader , Dr. Ellis Blade, onwards and upwards into a severe storm, precipitating a historical rescue - one young climber died and Germer never really recovered his former vigor. Thus we see empirical evidence of the inefficacy of AMC rules. (see Grand Teton Climbing Ranger Pete Sinclair's "We Aspired") 2. I heard that the climb he was on when he had the heart attack was Double Chin (5.4-5.5). Eyebrow, which I was on the first ascent of, is nearby and justifiably NOT very popular. Unless someone can come up with evidence to the contrary -I maintain the climb he was on was Double Chin. This is how I have been telling the story for decades. CSuhl (talk) 08:34, 1 November 2011 (UTC)Reply


Definite corroboration that Lester Germer was on the climb Double Chin 5.4 when he had the heart attack - this from a person who was there and attempting CPR. CSuhl (talk) 01:07, 7 November 2011 (UTC)Reply

Why did he not share the Nobel Prize edit

Whenever the famous experiment on electron diffraction is referred to it is always Davisson-Germer. But then in 1936 Nobel Prize went only to Davisson. Why? I am not able to find this anywhere on the web.

Further the references here seems to be inadequate. Two references, only on rock climbing and that also not directly on Germer. I think some scientific references should also be there. Particularly the original reference of Davisson-Germer experiment.

Deviuma (talk) 02:41, 28 May 2012 (UTC)DeviumaReply

Alma mater and advisor? edit

The page lists his alma mater as Columbia and his PhD advisor as Clinton Davisson, but as far as I can tell Davisson was never at Columbia. Davisson's page says he went from Carnegie Institute of Technology to Western Electric/Bell Labs in 1917. Which part of this information is wrong? -Athaler (talk) 21:02, 30 March 2015 (UTC)Reply