Prophecy Fulfilled

This book consists of two World War II documents essential to the history of American air power: Where We Stand and Science: The Key To Air Supremacy. These technology forecasts - produced under the direction of famed Hungarian-American aerodynamicist Dr. Theodore von Kármán at the request of General of the Army Air Forces Hap Arnold - established the U.S. Air Force's research and development agenda for much of the Cold War. Includes tables, diagrams, illustrations, photos, suggested readings. Abstract: Since the days of ancient warfare, commanders have relied on science and technology for success in war. Their use in military affairs increased dramatically after the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions, particularly in the nineteenth century. For example, chemists and metallurgists contributed greatly to World War I, while World War II is sometimes referred to as the physicists' war. During the fifty-year conflict known as the Cold War, scientists from diverse disciplines collaborated to multiply the effectiveness of military force and meet national security needs. Of all the federal organizations devoted to science and technology, none has been more important or influential than the U.S. Air Force's Scientific Advisory Board. In the midst of World War lithe Com- manding General of the Army Air Forces, Henry H. 'Hap' Arnold grasped the absolutely essential relationship between post-war science and national security. To realize his objective of inextricably linking science to air power, he called upon his friend, the brilliant Hungarian physicist Theodore von Karman, to assess and predict the future of military aeronautics. In Where We Stand and in Science, the Key to Air Supremacy, Karman and his hand- picked staff devised a multi-disciplinary approach to preserving the technical advantage gained by U.S. air power during the war.