Investment in basic research

Emanuel R. Piore

doi:10.1063/1.3066224

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Investment in basic research

NOV 01, 1948

The Navy through the Office of Naval Research is supporting basic research in about 150 colleges and nonprofit institutions in thirty‐six states, the Territory of Alaska, and the District of Columbia. The history, philosophy, and operation of this program are related by the head of its Physical Sciences Division.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3066224

Emanuel R. Piore

The program of the Office of Naval Research was initiated in the fall of 1945, when scientists were returning to their peacetime pursuits and funds were required for this conversion from war to peace. The Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) was liquidating its activities, and it was necessary to conserve some of the scientific assets created during the war. This problem was recognized by many people in high government, industrial, and academic circles. The Navy had the foresight to take action.

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Emanuel R. Piore, Office of Naval Research.