The Man Who Created the System of Government Support for University Research That is Now Endangered

From World War II until recent times, a partnership between government and universities contributed significantly to the United States’ emergence as the world’s most innovative, productive, and prosperous country. The story of that success is complex, yet one person played a crucial role in building the foundations of U.S. preeminence in science and technology. An examination of Vannevar Bush’s place in American history demonstrates how much we can lose if the Trump administration’s interference in university affairs continues.