Subtleties and surprises: the contribution of β decay to an understanding of the weak interaction

This review of nuclear beta decay with regards to an understanding of the weak interaction covers the continuous distributon of the beta spectrum, polemics between Meitner and Ellis as told by Pauli, the puzzle of the continuous distribution of the beta spectrum, Pauli's proposal of the neutrino, and Fermi's theory of beta decay. Also, a prosperous era of beta spectroscopy, some unique forbidden beta spectra, the Puppi triangle, overthrow of the law of parity in weak interactions, the genetic tree of the beta interaction, universal Fermi interaction, theoretic formulation of the universal (V-A) Fermi interaction, conserved vector current (CVC) hypothesis, weak magnetism term, and reanalysis of the 12B and 12N beta spectra are recounted. Included are quotations and some anecdotes illustrating the subtleties and surprises of beta decay development. 31 references