Adding a column of figures is a repetitive thought process, and it was long ago properly relegated to the machine. True, the machine is sometimes con… - Vannevar Bush

In order for great progress to be made on methods and weapons of war, there has to be a system of close joint effort of military and civilian men, especially engineers. The civilians must have independence and the opportunity to explore the bizarre; it is not enough that they be the engineers of contractors to the armed forces. Above all, there must be mutual respect and reliance. This must be present whenever we have to fight again.

The historian, with a vast chronological account of a people, parallels it with a skip trail which stops only at the salient items, and can follow at any time contemporary trails which lead him all over civilization at a particular epoch. There is a new profession of trail blazers, those who find delight in the task of establishing useful trails through the enormous mass of the common record. The inheritance from the master becomes, not only his additions to the world's record, but for his disciples the entire scaffolding by which they were erected.

The publicly and privately supported colleges, universities, and research institutes are the centers of basic research. They are the wellsprings of knowledge and understanding. As long as they are vigorous and healthy and their scientists are free to pursue the truth wherever it may lead, there will be a flow of new scientific knowledge to those who can apply it to practical problems in Government, in industry, or elsewhere.