to productive advance. Many of the most important discoveries have come as 

 a result of experiments undertaken with xerv different purposes in mind. 

 Statistically it is certain that important and highly useful discoxeries will result 

 from some fraction of the undertakings in hasic science; hut the results of 

 any one particular in\ estimation cannot be predicted with accuracy. 



Basic research leads to new knowledge. It provides scientific capital. 

 It creates the iund Irom which the practical applications of knowledge must 

 be draw n. New products and new processes do not appear full-grown. They 

 are founded on new principles and new conceptions, which in turn are 

 painstakingK' dex'cloped by research in the purest realms of science. 



Toda\', it is truer than e\er that basic research is the pacemaker of tech- 

 nological progress. In the nineteenth century, Yankee mechanical ingenuity, 

 building largely upon the basic discoveries of European scientists, could 

 greath' advance the technical arts. Now the situation is different. 



A uatiou which depends upon others for its new basic scientific knowledge 

 will he slow in its industrial progress and weak in its competitive position 

 in world trade, regardless of its mechanical skill. 



Centers of Basic Research 



Publicly and pri\'ately supported colleges and universities and the endowed 

 research institutes must furnish both the new scientific knowledge and the 

 trained research workers. These institutions are uniquely qualified by tradi- 

 tion and h\ their special characteristics to carry on basic research. They are 

 charged with the responsibility of conser\'ing the knowledge accumulated 

 by the past, imparting that knowledge to students, and contributing new 

 knowledge of all kinds. It is chiefly in these institutions that scientists may 

 work in an atmosphere which is relatively free from the adverse pressure of 

 con\'ention, prejudice, or commercial necessity. At their best they provide 

 the scientific worker with a strong sense of solidarity and security, as well as 

 a substantial degree of personal intellectual freedom. All of these factors are 

 of great importance in the development of new knowledge, since much of 

 new knowledge is certain to arouse opposition because of its tendency to 

 challenge current beliefs or practice. 



Industry is generally inhibited by preconceived goals, by its own clearly 

 defined standards, and by the constant pressure of commercial necessity. Satis- 

 factory progress in basic science seldom occurs under conditions prevailing in 

 the normal industrial laboratory. There are some notable exceptions, it is true, 

 but even in such cases it is rarely possible to match the universities in respect 

 to the freedom which is so important to scientific discovery. 



To serve effecti\'ely as the centers of basic research these institutions must 

 be strong and healthy. They must attract our best scientists as teachers and 

 investigators. They must offer research opportunities and sufficient compen- 

 sation to enable them to compete with industry and government for the cream 

 of scientific talent. 



During the past 25 years there has been a great increase in industrial 

 research involving the application of scientific knowledge to a multitude of 

 practical purposes — thus pro\'iding new products, new industries, new invest-- 

 ment opportunities, and millions of jobs. During the same period research 



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