Science and Public Policy: Promises and Constraints 49 



The Past Value of Since I shall inevitably be comparing the 

 Our Distinctive United States with other nations, and not- 



Pattern ing some differences, I must admit at the 



start that these differences are not without their merit. In the 

 last analysis, we did as a nation take some remarkable initia- 

 tives in the development of both science and technology. For 

 example, we developed the first practical steamboat, were the 

 first to experiment with practical use of anesthetics in modern 

 times. We gave great attention to the mechanization of farm- 

 ing, developing both the cotton gin and the McCormick 

 reaper. We constructed the first mountaintop observatory and 

 developed the electric light bulb to a useful state; similarly, 

 we had the first successful self-powered airplane. In response 

 to the needs of mass education, we developed the university 

 department, which I believe could become a far more power- 

 ful institution for higher education and related research than 

 the German institute which was a great innovation of the last 

 century. We took the initiative in developing the cyclotron and 

 in pushing research in polymeric chemistry for purposes of 

 mass production. During the war we were willing to risk a 

 significant part of our resources in a successful attempt to de- 

 velop a nuclear chain reaction. 



We all recognize that the peoples of the world are now mov- 

 ing toward the establishment of a common world culture, in 

 which science and science-based technology will form a very 

 major part of the foundation. Occasionally I become frightened 

 at the thought that our species may be overwhelmed by homo- 

 geneity. On further reflection, however, the sense of panic 

 leaves me when I realize the enjoyment all of us have in being 

 contrary when there seems to be advantage to it. I doubt if 

 we will ever lose this trait. 



Let me begin by emphasizing the strong points 

 Strong Points of our national posture in relation to science 



and science-based technology, which as I men- 

 tioned above is intrinsically healthy. First, we have a large and 

 effective machine for generating science, involving many fine 



