|
"Penicillin, the proximity fuze, the atom bomb, among a host of other scientific
contributions to American victory in the Second World War, brought home to many
citizens the value of scientific research. In the continuing crisis after the
war, there were few who opposed the proposition that sustained Federal support
of science and research was essential to the defense and welfare of the United
States."
"By the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 the Congress established
the National Science Foundation to promote the progress of science; to advance
the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense;
and for other purposes.' The President approved the act on May 10, 1950."
– Excerpt from The First Annual Report of the National
Science Foundation, 1950-51
Historical Milestones
1945 — Vannevar Bush, head of the government's wartime
Office of Scientific Research and Development, issues a report
to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, "ScienceThe Endless
Frontier." The report becomes famous as the prescription
for government support of science.
1950 — On May 10, President Harry S. Truman
signs Public Law 507, creating the National Science Foundation.
The act provides for a National Science Board of twenty-four
part-time members and a Director as chief executive officer,
all appointed by the president.
1951 — In early March, Truman nominates
Alan T. Waterman, the chief scientist at the Office
of Naval Research, to become the first Director
of the fledgling agency. The agency’s initial
budget is $151,000.
1952 — After moving its administrative
offices twice, the NSF begins its first full year
of operations with an appropriation from Congress
of just $3.5 million, a figure far less than the
almost $33.5 million requested. Twenty-eight research
grants are awarded.
1957 — On October 5, the Soviet Union
launches Sputnik I, the first ever man-made satellite,
into orbit. The successful rocket launch forces
a national self-appraisal that questions American
education, scientific, technical and industrial
strength. For 1959, Congress increases the NSF
appropriation to $134 million, nearly $100 million
higher than the year before. By 1968, the NSF budget
will stand at nearly $500 million.
1959 — The United States concludes
a treaty with the other nations engaged in Antarctic
research that reserves the continent for peaceful
and scientific research. The NSF begins the U.S.
Antarctic Program, a research program that to this
day continues to uncover important knowledge about
the natural world.
1960 Emphasis on international scientific
and technological competition further accelerates
NSF growth. The Foundation starts the Institutional
Support Programthe single largest beneficiary
of NSF budget growth in the 1960sa capital funding
program designed to build a research infrastructure
among American universities. NSF's appropriation
is $152.7 million; 2,000 grants are made.
1968 — The Deep Sea Drilling Project
begins. Over the years, the project reveals much
new evidence about the theories of continental
drift, sea floor spreading and the general usefulness
of the ocean basins. The program also becomes a
model of international cooperation as several foreign
countries join the operation.
1977 — The first "internet" is
developed. An interconnection of unrelated networks,
it is run by the Defense Department’s Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Over the next
decade, increasing NSF involvement leads to a three-tiered
system of internetworks managed by a mix of universities,
nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
By the mid-1980s, primary financial support for
the growing project is assumed by the NSF.
1983 — The agency budget tops $1 billion
for the first time. Major increases in the nation’s
research budget are proposed as the country recognizes
the importance of research in science and technology,
as well as education. A separate appropriation
is established for the U.S. Antarctic Program.
NSF receives more than 27,000 proposals and funds
more than 12,000 of them.
1985 — In November, NSF delivers ozone
sensors, along with balloons and helium, to researchers
at the South Pole so they can measure stratospheric
ozone loss. The action is taken in response to
findings made in May of that year, indicating a
steep drop in ozone over a period of several years.
The Internet project, now known as NSFNET, continues.
1989 The Foundation receives more than
37,500 proposals for research, graduate fellowships,
and math, science and engineering education. Over
16,000 awards are made to universities, colleges,
academic consortia, non-profit institutions and
small businesses.
1990 — In its 40th year of operation,
NSF's appropriation passes $2 billion for the first
time.
1991 — In March, the NSFNET acceptable
use policy is altered to allow commercial traffic.
By 1995, with the private, commercial market thriving,
NSF decommissions the NSFNET, allowing for public
use of the Internet.
1996 — NSF-funded research establishes
beyond doubt that the chemistry of the atmosphere
above Antarctica is grossly abnormal and that levels
of key chlorine compounds are greatly elevated.
During two months of intense work, NSF researchers
learn most of what we know today about the ozone
hole.
2000 — The National Science Foundation
celebrates its 50th Anniversary
Source: OLPA,
NSF History
|