106 



National Resources Planning Board 



ment of nylon several years later. Many dilFerent 

 polyaniidcs had to be synthesized before supcrpolymcrs 

 having the desired characteristics were found; it was 

 then necessary to investigate sources of raw materials 

 for the intermediates needed in making these super- 

 polymers, and to devise practicable processes for nialv- 

 ing the intermediates. 



Late in 193S, there was announced the development 

 of a group of new synthetic superpolymers from which, 

 among other possible applications, textile fibers could 

 be spun surpassing in strength and elasticity any 

 previously known textile fiber, whether cotton, linen, 

 wool, silk, or rayon. This new family of materials 

 was named nylon. 



Fundamental Research 

 by Small Companies 



The small industrial organization has been variously 

 defined. Certainly with respect to the largest com- 

 panies, one wliose not worth is 1 million dollars would 

 be considered small. Such an organization on the 

 average would have a gross income of 1 million dollars 

 annualh^ and could support a research staff of about 5 

 scientifically trained personnel. On the other hand, 

 a company whose net worth is 5 million dollars ceases 

 to be small (if engaged in manufacturing) and might 

 be termed medium-sized. It could sup{)ort a research 

 staff of 20 scientifically trained personnel. 



The question is, Wliat can a company do — in this 

 category of less than 20 research men — in the field of 

 fundamental research? Its managers probably feel 

 that its resources should be conserved for projects 

 that promise relatively definite and prompt return; 

 that fundamental research should not be undertaken 

 unless there is reasona])lo assurance of financial support 

 over a period of years; and that the successful pursuit 

 of fundamental research requires a staff possessing 

 widely diversified, higldy specialized talents. Finally, 

 they may feel that fundamental research is a variety 

 of "white man's burden," to be borne by the imiversi- 

 ties, research foundations, and large industrial com- 

 panies. 



Such reasoning does not, in the writer's opinion, 

 close the case, as there are ways by wliich a small 

 company may participate in fundamental research and 

 profit therefrom. For example, it may sponsor a 

 project in a university, or establish a fellowship at an 

 endowed research institute at which admirable staff 

 and equipment are available for the small as well as 

 the large organization. It may participate in trade 

 association research or in cooperative group research. 

 It may retain a firm of competent research consultants. 



Fundamental Research 

 and Foreign Affairs 



In the light of world jjolitics as this is written, the 

 importance of maintaining and expanding research 

 activities in America becomes particularh'' clear. Our 

 ability as a Nation to hold and develop foreign trade 

 and to provide adequate defenses will depend in no 

 small degree upon our research activities, including 

 those of the most fundamental character. 



Twenty-five years ago Germany was supreme in 

 dyes, pharmaceuticals, and nitrogen fixation, simply 

 because she had built efficient industries upon a broad 

 base of fundamental research that dated back 10, 15, 

 and 25 years. No imagination is required to appreciate 

 what this supremacy meant in her world commerce 

 and in preparedness for war. 



Fortunately, our woeful state of chemical insuffi- 

 ciency in 1914 is one lesson America took to heart. 

 And, if we are to survive as a democracy in a world 

 seething with predatory powers, then our defenses 

 must be made secure, literally dowTi to the last atom.. 

 Whether or not we relish the idea, our leadership in 

 science must not be relinquished if we are to be in- 

 vincible in the arts of war as well as in the bloodless 

 but nonetheless vital struggles of world commerce. 



Bibliography 



Books 



Boyd, T. A. Research, the pathfinder of science and industry. 

 New York, London, D. Applcton-Century Company, Inc., 

 1935. 319 p. "Pure research and applied," p. 13-21. 



Dreaper, W. p. Notes on chemical research, an account of 

 certain conditions which apply to original investigation. 2d 

 ed. Philadelphia, Blakiston, 1920. 195 p. "Definition of 

 research," p. 26-28. 



Fleming, A. P. M., and J. G. Pearce. Research in industry, 

 the basis of economic progress. London, Pitman, 1922. 244 p. 

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Mees, C. E. K. The organization of industrial scientific re- 

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National Resources Committee. Technological trends and 

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 science" (W. R. Whitney and L. A. Hawkins), p. 243-261. 



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