50th Anniversary of the Big Bang Discovery

A unique gathering of some of the most brilliant minds in the world was held last month on Holmdel, New Jersey’s Crawfords Hill on a beautiful spring day, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of a truly stellar discovery: the detection of cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB), the thermal echo of the universe’s explosive birth, and the evidence that proved the famed Big Bang Theory, which would have taken place about 13.8 billion years ago. On May 20, 1964, American radio astronomers Robert Wilson and Arno Penzias confirmed that discovery, admittedly by accident but only after an exhaustive amount of investigative research to rule out every possible explanation for an odd buzzing sound that came from all parts of the sky at all times of day and night. The hum was detected by the enormous Horn Antenna at the Bell Labs site, now a national landmark. Puzzled by the noise, but initially not suspecting its significance, the pair went to great lengths to determine, or rule out, any possible source – including some pigeons that had nested in the antenna and were determined to return, even after being shipped to a distant location.

In 1978, Dr. Wilson and Dr. Penzias won the esteemed Nobel Prize in physics for their work. Now 78 and 81 years old, respectively, the two came together again at the Horn Antenna site to celebrate the momentous anniversary with current and former Bell Labs colleagues. The event was headed up by Bell Labs President and Corporate CTO Marcus Weldon, who lauded their achievement and spoke about the company initiative to return “back to the future” – back to the classic model of Bell Labs, the research arm of Alcatel-Lucent, working to invent the future. Regarding the Big Bang Theory, Mr. Weldon brought chuckles by stating, “In the beginning there was nothing and then it exploded…and then there was Arno and Bob.” Subtle humor was a recurring theme by some speakers, who even poked fun at myths about Bell Labs, which has produced 12 Nobel Prize Laureates, harboring extraterrestrial staff and facilities. Dr. Wilson and Dr. Penzias each spoke personally about their backgrounds, their work together, and the meaning of their discovery. The pair’s distinct styles and personalities complemented each other perfectly. “It is very satisfying to look back and see we did our job right,” said Dr. Wilson quietly and humbly. “This was pretty heady stuff,” stated the talkative Dr. Penzias. “This is as close to being religious as I can be.”  

Throughout the presentations and celebratory luncheon, held under oversized tents on the expansive grounds, the air of excitement, pride, and mutual admiration among the attendees was palpable, as they looked back – and looked ahead – to the incredible legacy and pool of talent shared by Bell Labs personnel over the years. Robert Wilson and his wife still reside in Holmdel, as do many other Bell Labs employees, and the company has been an integral component of Holmdel and surrounding communities.

During the event, details were also announced about the establishment of the Bell Labs Prize, an annual competition to give scientists around the globe the chance to introduce their ideas in the fields of information and communications technology. The challenge offers a grand prize of $100,000, second prize of $50,000, and third prize of $25,000. Winners may also get the chance to develop their ideas at Bell Labs. The program is intended to inspire world-changing discoveries and innovations by young researchers. The deadline to enter the Bell Labs Prize competition is July 15. More details may be found at www.bell-labs.com/prize.

(Note: This article was also reprinted, by request, in the college textbook 21st Century Astronomy, 5th Edition, by W.W. Norton Publishing.)