JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS THE TENTH LITERATURE AWARD June 24, 1964 Columbia University New York City During the banquet in connection with the Third Congress of the Inter- national Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists, held in Ferris Booth Hall at Columbia University on June 24, 1964, Mr. Robert A. Kramer, President or the SOCIETY Or CosMF. T•C CuF. M•sTs, presented the S.C.C. Literature Award for 1963 to Dr. E. Howard Mercer of Melbourne, Aus- tralia. Dr. Mercer was given the award for his achievement in extending our knowledge of the molecular biology of keratin and of the keratinization process. His clarification of the relation between the structure and func- tion of various keratinized tissues is or immense value to all who must treat the skin and hair. The Literature Award is made possible through the continued interest and financial support of no less than 160 manufacturers, suppliers, testing laboratories and other companies, who in joint effort promote and encourage basic research in cosmetic science. HOWARD MERCER, Ph.D. A EuLoc¾ BY A.M. KLmMAN, M.D., PH.D.* Eulogizing, as most of you know, runs counter to my native instincts. I have a more cultivated taste for profanations. This, however, is my second panegyrical or praise-producing performance before this Soc•v.T¾ on the occasion of increasing the unearned income of meritorious scientists by $1000. Eulogizing, as you know, is praise of individuals who have the advantages of wealth or power or who are in the convenient state of being dead. Since I am forced to practice the laudatory art, it behooves me to hydrolize my high molecular weight hostility and reconstitute the ingredients into the oily cosmetics used for beautifying the scientific image of the recipient. * University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 4, Pa.

TENTH LITERATURE AWARD 535 Cosmetics are intended to adorn the superficies without altering the skin, preferably without even penetrating it. This avoids classification as a drug and staves off the pure persecutions of the F.D.A. In selecting world renowned scientists for this coveted prize, the Socxv. T¾ has strikingly answered the charge of concerning itself solely with the super- ficial business of beautification. On the contrary, it has admirably proved its respect and support of basic scientific work. It is altogether estimable, and probably not an act of chance, that the recipient of last year's prize, Dr. J. Gross, and this year's celebrant are eminent authorities in the field of macromolecular biology, a subject at the center of modern medicine and the very frontier where the pioneers are camped. How appropriate, in dealing with skin, for Dr. Gross to be honored for his collagen achievements and Mercer for his grand studies of keratin. It is collagen which provides the skin with its scaffolding and solidity, while keratin is the building stuff of the horny layer, a barrier which effectively seals the body off from its en- vironment. These two marvelous fibrous proteins, designed for tough service, form complementary systems which uniquely enable the skin to carry out its only known biological function, namely, of protection. Captivated by encomiastic enthusiasm, I should like to offer not one but two eulogies. My first is a citation of the Soc•v.T¾ for its admirable wish to recognize and honor investigators of great stature this activity cannot fail to stimulate basic research and promote knowledge of the skin. It cannot fail to bridge the chasm between study and practice. Lest there be any invidious sentiments that this citation to the Soc•v.•¾ is merely words unsupported by the substantiality of hard cash, it gives me pleasure to validate my effort by delivering into the hands of the president a genuine U.S.A. 1963 penny, a coin of such priceless value that no known object can be purchased with it. I am certain this will remain as a permanent trophy to symbolize recognition by the academic community of the achievements of the Sociv.•¾. Now to come to the man of the hour. Howard Mercer was born and bred in wooly Australia, still another demonstration that an unfavorable environment is not an obstacle to greatness. Having hosted him in my home for the week-end, one sees at once the qualities required for high per- formance: a spacious mind, a clear head and probing mentality, accom- panied by those other prerequisites for soaring achievements: disciplined creativity, a rugged individuality which is equally unaffected by approval and disapproval, an ambition to exalt the uses of the human mind, and the uncommon chemical capacity to mix inspiration with perspiration. Fi- nally, he has the willingness to be fatuously and permanently in love with the sirens of science. His past history reveals the basic ingredients which appear wit!• suc`h