English: Original description: H. Tracy Hall, the first man ever to produce synthetic diamonds in the laboratory, observes his tetrahedral X-ray diffraction press, which uses a beam of X-rays to probe matter while it is subjected to temperatures and pressures approaching those inside the earth and stars, repacking the atoms to create materials which are unknown in nature. Dr. Hall came to BYU in 1955 as professor of chemistry and director of research, leaving a position as research associate at General Electric Company in Schenactady, N.Y., where he had succeeded in making diamonds. At BYU he continued his experiments with the development of a more efficient machine on an altogether different principle. His research has led far beyond the synthesis of diamonds into discoveries in geology, solid-state physics, chemical synthesis, and engineering. The work gained worldwide attention, and in 1964 he went to Paris to install a machine for the French government. Brigham Young University has accorded him the rank of Distinguished Professor, and he has received the honors of many organizations, including the Modern Pioneers in Creative Industry Award of the National Association of Manufacturers and the Chemical Pioneer Award of the American Institute of Chemists.