329 



been initiated otherwise, stimulated thought and imagination in 

 opening up unparalleled new horizons, and transformed earth science 

 into planetary science. As summarized by Wilson, it "vastly enlarged 

 the scope of man's activities and gave him a new vision of his place in 

 the universe." 91 



Continuation of IGY Programs 



One of the major scientific outcomes of the IGY was the establish- 

 ment of new means — and new international organizations — to con- 

 tinue many of the scientific undertakings initiated or expanded during 

 the IGY. Without the IGY, these programs might have been delayed 

 for many years or possibly might never have been initiated at all. 

 Major credit for the continuation of many programs was due the 

 ICSU, which, through CSAGI, had begun to consider as early as June 

 1957 proposals for the formation of new groups through which the 

 central IGY organization could be perpetuated. The first such group 

 to be formed was the Special Committee on Antarctic Research 

 (SCAR), established in March 1957. There soon followed creation of 

 the Special Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), which held its 

 first meeting at Woods Hole, Mass., during the period August 

 28-30, 1957. 



A broad program for establishing special committees for continuing 

 IGY activities in various fields, as exemplified by SCAR and SCOR, 

 was given general endorsement by the CSAGI at its fifth assembly 

 meetmg in Moscow during the period July 30 to August 9, 1958, at 

 which time the name International Geophysical Cooperation — 1959 

 (IGC-1959) was coined to describe the program, 92 In a sense, this 

 proposal represented a compromise between the Soviet and American 

 positions on formal continuation of the IGY. The Soviet leaders, it 

 appeared, had a very urgent and demanding need for both the IGY 

 name and the IGY organization to help maintain their position at 

 home. 93 



A direct continuation, however, posed a delicate problem for the 

 American scientists, who had repeatedly emphasized to the Congress 

 that the IGY was to be a specific, time-limited undertaking. Early 

 in 1954, while seeking the initial appropriation for the IGY, Dr. 

 Waterman had pointed out that the scientific community regarded 

 the activity as "a one-shot program." M Early the following year, in 

 seeking additional appropriations, Dr. Berkner, speaking on behalf of 

 the USNC, agreed that a cutoff date of July 1960 would be satisfactory 

 for the U.S. program. 95 This agreement was somewhat qualified later 

 in the year when Berkner, looking forward to the post-IGY period, 

 raised the possibility of further development of IGY activities. 98 

 Although this possibility fell upon receptive congressional ears, the 

 American position had become solidified to the extent that support 

 for the Soviet direct continuation proposal was impractical. Thus, as 

 Waterman explained: 



•» Wilson, New Moon*, p. 324. 



•> NAS IOY Program Report, p. vil. 



« Sullivan, Assault, p. 409. 



M House, The Supplemental Appropriation Bill, 196S, p. 936. 



M House, Independent Offices Appropriations for 196t>, p. 320. 



" Senate, Hearings on H.R. 6t40, p. 447. 



