Spectral lines: Science, technology, and the Government

The role of U.S. scientists and engineers in administrations prior to President Reagan´s has surely been vicissitudinous. For example, Richard M. Nixon abolished the separate post of science advisor to the White House, a post that was established by Dwight D. Eisenhower, in its place, Mr. Nixon asked the director of the National Science Foundation to double as Presidential advisor. That was hardly an ideal arrangement, and yet it did not seem to inspire as much criticism from the technical community and informed public as has President Reagan´s apparent failure to recognize the importance of technology.