50 Years Ago Particle Physics 50 years ago, physics underwent a major revolution Excerpt from the November 23, 1974 issue of Science News Physicists Samuel Ting (shown) and Burton Richter independently discovered the subatomic particle J/psi in 1974. It quickly led to more discoveries that confirmed quarks are fundamental building blocks of matter. Everett Collection/Alamy Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterPinterestPocketRedditPrint By Cassie Martin November 29, 2024 at 6:00 am A surprising new particle — Science News, November 23, 1974 To add to the present ferment and confusion in particle physics, nature now presents the oddest new particle to turn up in many years….