Chapter 7: Metallurgy and Materials Science: 1962-1972 

Background 

At the outset of the 1960s, general conditions favored research and development. The launching of an earth satellite by the Soviet Union in October 1957 had dramatized the role of science and technology in international competition, particularly in aerospace. At the same time, the materials needs of other technologies were becoming widely recognized. A list originally drawn up by the President's science Advisory Committee (PSAC) in 1958 and mentioned by Baker (Psaras and Langford, p. 23) named rocket propulsion, nuclear reactors, space flight, and vehicle reentry as requiring materials not available at that time. 

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