JOURNAL 



OF THE 



WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



Vol. io JUNE 19, 1920 No. 12 



SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. — The economic importance oj the 

 scientific work of the Government.'^ E. B. Rosa, Bureau of 

 Standards. 



SCIENCE IN THE WAR 



I. The Great War was based very largely on science and 

 engineering. During the twenty-five years preceding the out- 

 break of the war the enemy had developed science and the 

 practical applications of science in a wonderful way. He had 

 fostered the industries, developed shipping and foreign trade, 

 and promoted scientific research and education until the German 

 nation stood in the forefront of the nations of the earth. With 

 a complete misunderstanding of race psychology and an utter 

 lack of appreciation of moral values, the enemy had prepared 

 for a sudden attack with crushing force when a favorable occa- 

 sion should arise. When the blow fell the allied nations were 

 unprepared, not only for lack of armies and munitions but for 

 lack of industrial equipment, transportation facilities and 

 scientific development. Holding the enemy at bay under fear- 

 ful odds while they built up their armies and their industries, 

 the allied and associated powers utilized all the resources of science 

 and engineering and a vast amount of accumulated treasure to 

 make good their initial deficiencies and gain strength enough to 

 wear out and overcome the enemy. In this titanic struggle 

 scientists, engineers and captains of industry were mobilized by 



' A lecture given before the Washington Academy of Sciences on May 20, 

 1920. 



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