ABSTRACT
The paradigm of a Science Advisor to the President, supported by a President's Science Advisory Committee, evolved from a seminal report written by William T. Golden in 1950. During the decade that followed, growing public and political recognition of the influence of science and technology on society led to increased interest in Golden's proposal. The long-term danger of inflation, the growing balance-of-payments problems, declining US industrial competitiveness, and increasing deficits were as great a concern during the last years of the Eisenhower Administration as they are for the Reagan Administration. Eisenhower's letter defining the terms of reference of the appointment indicates the care and thought that went into defining the role of the Special Assistant for Science and Technology. The special attention given to matters of national security in Eisenhower's terms of reference follows from a number of considerations. The importance of defense to the nation is evident.
