Science, the Endless Frontier

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In 1945, Vannevar Bush, director of the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development, presented a pivotal report titled Science, the Endless Frontier, commissioned by President Roosevelt as World War II was concluding. The report emphasized the critical need for ongoing government support of the sciences in peacetime, asserting that scientific advancement is vital for national health, security, and prosperity. Bush advocated for funding basic research at colleges and universities without the expectation of immediate military or industrial application, increased access to higher education through scholarships for talented students from diverse economic backgrounds, and the creation of an independent science agency to oversee these initiatives. His vision significantly influenced U.S. science policy for the next fifty years and contributed to a substantial increase in public funding for basic research post-war. This volume includes Bush’s report and an original companion essay by Rush D. Holt, which provides historical context and reflects on the report's legacy and limitations. Holt argues for a broader understanding of science’s societal value, highlighting its role as an empirically based approach essential to democracy. He concludes with a renewed call to action for scientists, policymakers, and citizens regarding the importance of science today.