SUPPORT BY INDUSTRY 



assigned to basic research. That component has long been the 

 "low man on the totem pole,'' in spite of the helpful influence 

 of the National Science Foundation. If this figure is correct, I 

 would certainly estimate the total current expenditure for basic 

 research as fully 8 per cent of the approximately $10,000,000,- 

 000, or $800,000,000 for basic research. Although even this 

 is probably inadequate, it represents a very substantial advance 

 over 1953, and it took place during a period when scientists 

 were in inadequate supply and pressing defense needs in 

 certain areas demanded very intensive work on practical prob- 

 lems in aircrafts and missiles. My own observation even in this 

 field is, however, that more basic work on materials and other 

 fundamentals, and less on rushing into hardware, would lead 

 to more rapid progress, at least over a three- or four-year period. 

 A word with regard to research abroad: While not much 

 quantitative data are available, it is apparent that European 

 research, particularly in Germany and England, is again be- 

 ginning to make important contributions to our fundamental 

 knowledge, and we may expect European countries to become 

 aoain major contributors to the basic reservoir of scientific 

 knowledge after a period of a dozen war and postwar years 

 during which they were able to contribute very little. Mean- 

 while, applied research in this country has grown so tremen- 

 dously that we can never again, as we once did, rely largely on 

 Europe for the fundamentals, and interest ourselves only in 

 practical applications. 



Some of the Problems Faced by Industry in 



Supporting Basic Research 



In appraising the accomplishments and the shortcomings 

 of industry in its support of basic research, two points must be 

 kept in mind: first, that industry must fundamentally be geared 

 to making profits; and second, that it is almost impossible to 



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