In the early 1900s the Smithsonian Institution published a book each year, which mostly just described their organizational and budget updates. But they each also contained a General Appendix at the end, which seems to have served a function analogous to the modern “Edge” essays—reflections by scientists of the time on key questions of interest. For example, the 1929 book includes essays speculating about what “life” and “light” are, how insects fly, etc.
In the early 1900s the Smithsonian Institution published a book each year, which mostly just described their organizational and budget updates. But they each also contained a General Appendix at the end, which seems to have served a function analogous to the modern “Edge” essays—reflections by scientists of the time on key questions of interest. For example, the 1929 book includes essays speculating about what “life” and “light” are, how insects fly, etc.