The technological dilemma of the United States

The rapid growth of federally supported research and development during and following World War II, and particularly between 1950 and 1960, appears to have had several major effects on the technological activity of the United States and its industry. However, the most important effect of this growth was the rise in the cost of research and development, including the cost of the technical personnel involved in it. In an assessment of the U.S. investment in R&D for space and defense versus civilian-oriented research and development, it is seen that the United States lags behind the eight European nations studied, and trails Japan even further. With this in mind, it is clear that if both the social and material needs of the people are to be met, new policies and new directions are required of governmental, industrial, and academic institutions.