ABSTRACT

Science and government forged formal associations in several countries between World I and World War II. This was not the first time that political leaders sought the aid of scientists for the ends of government, but at this time the terms of that relationship were galvanized. In the United States the bond was made through the Manhattan Project. The goal was to mobilize science for the sake of the war effort. Government did not simply fund scientific research, but made explicit what the outcome of that research was to be. Such a bargain had immediate impact on the war, and also long-term impact into the postwar years.