The Arcetri School of Physics

The years between the first and the second World War (broadly from 1920 to 1940) are remarkable in Italy for the achievements attained in physical research. This was because of rather peculiar circumstances which made the Physical Institutes of the Universities of Rome and Florence the centre of advanced research and of formation of research leaders. Both groups originated through the dedication and the vision of enlightened men, Orso Mario Corbino in Rome and Antonio Garbasso in Florence, both good physicists open to the extraordinary discoveries of the years before and after the first World War, both sincere patriots willing to give their country a sound and up-to-date scientific culture.