458 Jonas Gullberg

Blev 71 år.

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Jonas Ekblom Gullberg, Zoology: Berkeley

1901-1973
Professor of Metrology, Emeritus

No adjective better characterizes Professor Jonas Ekblom Gullberg, known to his friends as John, than unique. He was indeed unique in name, person, nocturnal habits of work, achievement, sensitivity to human frailties, and devotion to the highest standards of workmanship. He was born of Swedish parents in Butte, Montana and remarkably educated as a special student at the Medical School in Sydney, Australia, the London School of Tropical Medicine, the State Institute of Racial Biology at Upsala, Sweden, and by travel, especially by two anthropological expeditions to New Guinea. Gullberg came to Berkeley in the late twenties to visit Professor Charles A. Kofoid, whose parasitological studies he had admired. Kofoid, then Chairman of Zoology, recognized Gullberg's talents, appointed him Cinematographer, created for him a laboratory which was first designated the Laboratory of Microcinematography, and advised him to complete a bachelor's degree (in anthropology). Gullberg produced three motion picture films, two on protozoans--one a remarkable film on the life cycle of a marine foraminiferan--and the third on the embryonic development of a salamander.

In 1943 the name of Gullberg's laboratory was changed to the Laboratory of Optics and Metrology (the science of precision measurement), and his title became Lecturer in Optical Methods in Biology. He developed two 2-course sequences on optical methods in biology, the first on the microscope and other optical instruments and biological photography. A second sequence dealt with electrical instrumentation in biology. These courses attracted students and also faculty from various departments. For many years his course on the microscope was required of all predoctoral students in Zoology. Gullberg's courses were distinguished by beautifully designed and executed demonstrations, patient exposition of difficult concepts, an appreciation of students as persons, and a concern for the impact of science on society.

Gullberg's creativity in the design of instruments and his master craftsmanship in glass, plastic, and metal resulted in the invention and fabrication of working models of such instruments as the ultropak (an incident illuminator for the microscope now in widespread use), a microthermocouple for measuring minute changes in temperature in an organism, an automatic hemocytometer, a microcolorimeter, a double microscope for viewing an object simultaneously from above and below, and a scanner of autoradiographs to quantify the incorporation of a radioactive compound by some organ or tissue. One of his most significant contributions, shared with Professors Roderick Craig of Entomology and Paul Kirk of Biochemistry, was the development of a microbalance weighing to a millionth of a milligram. This instrument was of strategic importance in the isolation of plutonium as part of the research that led to the atomic bomb. Considering Gullberg's concern for the sociological effects of science, it is ironical that he facilitated the creation of a weapon of unparalleled human destruction.

The Laboratory of Optics and Metrology was exceptional in American universities, and for many years it ranked second only to the United States Bureau of Standards in range of facilities for making micro-measurements and in the maintenance of primary standards. To the Laboratory Gullberg loaned much personal equipment, including representative European, American, and Japanese optical instruments, electrical standards, and tools, especially jeweler's lathes, for fine milling.

With the encouragement of the Department of Zoology, Gullberg generously served scientists and laboratories within and outside the University of California and also domestic and foreign optical houses. No problem brought to him by faculty or students or industry was too small to engage his interest and receive his efforts to help in its solution. A specialist at the German optical house Firma Leitz once wrote: “It is rare to have technical skills in instrumentation combined with an understanding and appreciation of the research for which the instruments are needed.” Gullberg's publications were not many. He made his contributions to research principally through personal advice. It will never be known how many advances in instrumentation and metrology owe their inception to consultations with John Gullberg.

In recognition of Gullberg's superior teaching, creativity in instrument design and construction, worldwide reputation in precision measurements, and distinguished service to scientific laboratories, research institutes, and manufacturers of optical instruments he was appointed Associate Professor of Metrology (1946) and Professor of Metrology (1956) in the Department of Zoology--with only an A.B. degree on his academic record. He became Emeritus Professor in 1967, and continued his activities, despite ill health, until shortly before his death.


Richard M. Eakin Daniel Mazia Ralph I. Smith

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