Vannevar Bush Biography

Occup.	Scientist
From	USA
Born	March 11, 1890 Everett, Massachusetts, USA
Died	June 30, 1974 Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
Cause	Pneumonia
Aged	84 years

Early Life and Education
Vannevar Bush was born upon March 11, 1890, in Everett, Massachusetts, USA. He was the 3rd child of Richard Perry Bush, a Universalist minister, and Emma Linwood Paine Bush. His early interest in mathematics and engineering was nurtured by both his household and his environment. Bush went to Chelsea High School, finishing in 1909, and went on to make his bachelor's and master's degrees in science from Tufts College in 1913. His thesis was significant for using mathematical methods to resolve problems in engineering, which set the stage for his future career. He pursued doctoral research studies at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he made his Ph.D. in electrical engineering collectively from both institutions in 1917.

Academic and Professional Career
After finishing his education, Bush briefly operated at General Electric before signing up with Tufts College as an instructor in 1916. However, World War I shifted his career trajectory, leading him to work for the National Research Council, where he concentrated on options to submarine detection, an important requirement during the war. Following the war, Bush joined MIT's professors, quickly identifying himself through his work on analog computers. It was here that he established the differential analyzer, an early and prominent analog computer capable of fixing differential equations.

Secret Contributions and Innovations
In 1938, Bush became the president of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington D.C., a position he held until 1955. Throughout this duration, he also served on the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the precursor to NASA, where his leadership assisted shape America's aerospace capabilities.

Among Bush's most significant contributions remained in the field of electrical engineering and computer science. His deal with analog computer systems prepared for the digital computers that would eventually dominate the market. He likewise introduced and advocated for the idea of the memex, a theoretical proto-hypertext system that anticipated the structure of data management through technology, which influenced the later development of the internet and digital libraries.

World War II and the Office of Scientific Research and Development
With the start of World War II, Bush's profession took an essential turn as he was appointed to lead the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) in 1941. In this role, Bush coordinated clinical research for military functions, playing an important function in the development of radar, the proximity fuze, and the Manhattan Project, which led to the production of the atomic bomb. His ability to bridge the space between science and government policy substantially advanced the United States' technological and military capabilities during the war.

Under Bush's guidance, the OSRD promoted collective efforts between the government and clinical neighborhoods, resulting in developments in a variety of fields. His management was essential to the successful mobilization of scientific talent throughout the war.

Post-War Influence and Legacy
After World War II, Vannevar Bush was a key figure in the facility of the National Science Foundation (NSF), promoting for government assistance of scientific research in peacetime. He continued to affect national policy through his writings, most significantly his 1945 article "As We May Think", released in The Atlantic Monthly, which postulated the coming of digital innovations and visualized a data-linked world that predated the web by years.

Bush's focus on the importance of clinical research study and development led to a change in how the U.S. engaged with clinical ventures, promoting a greater synergy between federal government, market, and academic community.

Personal Life and Death
In his personal life, Bush married Phoebe Clara Davis in 1916, and they had two kids, Richard and John. Renowned for his devotion to both his work and household, Bush stabilized his expert duties with a dedication to his personal life. He was understood for his affable nature and ability to inspire those around him.

Vannevar Bush passed away on June 28, 1974, in Belmont, Massachusetts, at the age of 84. His contributions to science, engineering, and public law left an enduring mark on the 20th century, shaping the landscape of contemporary technology and research study.

Tradition and Recognition
Widely recognized as a leader in the field of engineering and technology, Bush was the recipient of numerous distinctions and honorary degrees over his lifetime. His vision for a highly integrated world, particularly through the idea of the memex and his efforts throughout World War II, positioned him as an essential designer of the modern-day technological age.

Vannevar Bush's work continues to be commemorated and studied, affecting generations of scientists and engineers. His ability to anticipate the trajectory of technological advancement highlighted the value of supporting clinical questions, laying the groundwork for future developments in computing and information technology.

Our collection contains 6 quotes who is written / told by Vannevar.

Related authors: Claude Shannon (Mathematician), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Vannevar Bush differential analyzer
A: The differential analyzer was an early analog computer invented by Vannevar Bush to solve differential equations.
Q: Vannevar Bush Manhattan Project
A: While Vannevar Bush was not directly involved in the Manhattan Project, he played a crucial role in wartime science policy and research, which supported the project.
Q: Vannevar Bush son
A: Vannevar Bush had two sons, Richard Davis Bush and John Hathaway Bush.
Q: What did Vannevar Bush invent
A: Vannevar Bush is known for inventing the differential analyzer, an analog computer.
Q: Vannevar Bush pronunciation
A: Vannevar Bush is pronounced as 'Vuh-NEE-var Bush'.
Q: Vannevar Bush Oppenheimer
A: Vannevar Bush and J. Robert Oppenheimer worked on scientific endeavors during World War II, particularly related to the development of the atomic bomb.
Q: Dr Vannevar Bush family tree
A: Vannevar Bush was born to Richard Perry Bush and Emma Linwood Paine Bush. He was married to Phoebe Clara Davis and had two sons.
Q: Vannevar Bush related to George Bush
A: No, Vannevar Bush was not related to George Bush.
Q: How old was Vannevar Bush?
A: He became 84 years old

Vannevar Bush Famous Works:

1945 Science, The Endless Frontier (Book)
1949 Modern Arms and Free Men: A Discussion of the Role of Science in Preserving Democracy (Book)

Source / external links:

6 Famous quotes by Vannevar Bush

"Fear cannot be banished, but it can be calm and without panic; it can be mitigated by reason and evaluation"

"The scene changes but the aspirations of men of good will persist"

"If scientific reasoning were limited to the logical processes of arithmetic, we should not get very far in our understanding of the physical world. One might as well attempt to grasp the game of poker entirely by the use of the mathematics of probability"

"To pursue science is not to disparage the things of the spirit. In fact, to pursue science rightly is to furnish the framework on which the spirit may rise"

"Science has a simple faith, which transcends utility. It is the faith that it is the privilege of man to learn to understand, and that this is his mission"

"A belief may be larger than a fact"