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United States. White House Office. Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology.
Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology records of James R. Killian and George B. Kistiakowsky, 1957-1961.
Office files of the first two appointed special assistants, James R. Killian and George B. Kistiakowski, including constituent mail, correspondence, photographs, memoranda, reports submitted by public and private organizations, charts, notes, opinions, plans, recommendations, employment applications, publications, and speeches. Topics include: All areas of science and scientific organizations but with an emphasis on those with a close relationship to national security matters: oceanography; missiles, air defense; computers; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Atomic Energy Commission; agricultural research; nuclear weapons; communications; disarmament; nuclear testing; satellite; atomic energy; high temperature research; high energy physics; water; life sciences; space technology; aircraft nuclear propulsion; weapons technology; atmospheric science; basic research; behavioral science; biological science; electronics; education for science and technology; geological research; fire research; and international scientific cooperation. Collection include correspondence of numerous physicists including Detlev Bronk, Alan T. Waterman, Hugh L. Dryden, and all members of the President's Science Advisory Committee (PSAC).
On November 3, 1957 President Eisenhower established the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and appointed James R. Killian, Jr. to the position. On November 21, 1957, the President transferred the Science Advisory Committee of the Office of Defense Mobilization (in the Executive Office of the President) to the White House Office, reconstituting and enlarging it as the "President's Science Advisory Committee." George B. Kistiakowsky was appointed by the President to succeed Killian as Special Assistant on July 15, l959. Both Killian and Kistiakowsky served concurrent terms as Special Assistant to the President as Chairman of the President's Science Advisory Committee, which nominates its own Chairman. President Eisenhower established the new Office of the Special Assistant for Science and Technology (hereafter referred to as OSAST) in response to a need for the organization and utilization of American scientific and technological expertise as a collective resource. The President was faced with a crisis of confidence among the public concerning United States space technological expertise and defense capabilities, as well as intensive competition among the services for prestigious missile programs. In an effort to centralize defense and space technology projects the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and the office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering were created in 1958. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created later in 1958 to systematize space exploration under as much civilian control as possible. The primary responsibility of the Special Assistant was to keep the President informed of the progress of scientific and technical programs of various government agencies, presenting his findings, facts, and evaluations to the President, including recommendations with respect to scientific and technological matters. He was also available as an advisor on scientific matters to Cabinet members and other policy-making officials of government.
Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969 -- Correspondence.
Killian, James Rhyne, 1904- -- Correspondence.
Kistiakowsky, George B. (George Bogdan), 1900- -- Correspondence.
Bronk, Detlev W. (Detlev Wulf), 1897-1975
Dryden, Hugh L. (Hugh Latimer), 1898-1965.
Waterman, Alan Tower, 1892-1967
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
United States. White House Office. Office of the Special Assistant for Science and Technology -- Archival resources.
Agriculture.
Air defenses.
Atmosphere -- Research.
Biology.
Communications.
Computers.
Disarmament.
Electronics.
Fire -- Research.
Geology -- Research.
Guided missiles.
High temperatures.
Life sciences.
National security -- United States.
Nuclear aircraft.
Nuclear energy.
Nuclear weapons.
Nuclear weapons -- Testing.
Oceanography.
Physicists -- Correspondence -- United States.
Psychology.
Research -- United States.
Satellites.
Science.
Science -- International cooperation.
Science consultants -- United States.
Science -- Societies, etc.
Space flight.
Water.
Weapons.
Particles (Nuclear physics)
Advisory opinions. lcsh
Applications for positions. lcsh
Charts. aat
Letters of recommendation. aat
Memorandums. aat
Notes. aat
Photographs. aat
Plans. aat
Publications. aat
Reports. aat
Speeches. aat
AIP-ICOS
Dwight D. Eisenhower Library. Abilene, KS 67410, USA
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