^* The most recent determination of the fine structure constant was a marvel of modern technology. Gerald Gabrielse and co-workers at Harvard University created an artificial hydrogen atom by catching a single electron in a trap made of a positively charged electrode, supplemented by coils producing a magnetic field. They carefully measured the light produced by the electron as it jumps between energy levels and obtained the most accurate value of the fine structure constant to date: 1/ = 137.035999084…(Hanneke [2008]).