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The article presents an overview of the Technological Arms Race that has dominated the research and development activities of the United States since World War II. It focuses on the historic development of the equipments that has been invented for the management and direction of the country's military technology programs. It also examines the role and functions of scientists and engineers in the military technology programs of the United States. It also cites the organizational mechanisms which controlled and influenced the course of technological developments.

The article discusses the specific contributions which scientists could make to foreign affairs policies. According to the author, perhaps the most important such task which scientists and engineers have done has been to study and report very broadly on the complicated military-technical problems which have come into existence. He asserts that the two other areas in which scientists have contributed in a substantial extracurricular way are the analysis of the role of science and technology in the economy and the fostering of international discussions of military problems and disarmament.

This article argues the need for government support in promoting and subsidizing civilian research and development to solve US economic and domestic problems and to inspire scientists and engineers. In a rapidly changing security environment, the receding military threat from the Warsaw Pact is reducing NATO's defense needs, and in the strategic arena, smaller nuclear arsenals are being negotiated. If the emerging supply of research scientists and engineers once engaged by the military is not redeployed, their talents could be wasted while environmental deterioration deepens and the international competitiveness of U.S. industry declines further. This would exacerbate an already unfavorable situation: traditionally, as profits decline, the private sector spends less for R& D. If military R& D is not replaced by civilian R& D, the country's overall research activities will shrink while economic competitors are increasing their research investments. And Reagan turned the Energy Department into an atomic bomb agency: by the end of the decade, the department was spending nearly twice as much on weapons as on civilian energy programs, including research funds dedicated to Star Wars projects--designing atomic reactors to power space vehicles and the atomic explosions that would pulse the X-ray laser weapon.

Focuses on the history of Peel, Williams & Co., an engineering company in Manchester, England in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Popularity of the company; Description of its founders and how they formed the business; Distribution of printed catalogs, which is early evidence of standardized mass production of engineering goods in anticipation of demand; Expansion of the business; Progression of the company and its eventual demise.

The article offers information about the appeal of the scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the alleged misuse of the government on the developments related to science and technology in the U.S. The author stresses that the government is using the developments of science and technology to increase their capability in creating weapons of mass destruction. Scientists and engineers at MIT created a proposal to address their concern on the increasing exploitation of scientific knowledge. It includes the initiation in examining the policies of the government in science and technology, turning the research applications from the present emphasis on military technology, and sharing the benefits of the developments to mankind.

The article presents a summary of the conclusions and recommendations given by the group of Professor Maurice Visscher of the University of Minnesota and Doctor J. S. Nicholas of Yale during the Third National Conference of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO held in New York on January 27 to 31, 1952. The summary includes the evaluation of grants-in-aid program of UNESCO, promotion of cooperation in research in major area problems, and the barriers to exchange of information and travel. The summary also includes the trend toward increasing isolation in science in the U.S., and better utilization of services of engineers.

The article reports on the combined training and research program of Clinton Laboratories. The proposed program aims to provide facilities in the dissemination of information in the field of fundamental and applied science and engineering. The Laboratory facilities will be available to 35 highly trained scientists and engineers from the academic and industrial laboratories. Selected scientists and engineers will have the opportunity to attend a coordinated lecture program on pile operation theory and the opportunity to participate in research and development program of Laboratories.

Presents information on a report from the National Academy of Engineering regarding the future of engineering in the U.S. Adoption of a scenario-based planning technique; Scenarios considered for the project including global conflict and globalization; Suggestions regarding the engineering profession.

The article explores the developments in sensor technology and how it is helping engineers meet the demands for safer and more economic systems. Among these developments are the expanded use of self-powered sensors to provide new and improved autonomous systems for monitoring and control, use of inclination sensors in renewable energy applications, and its use in the monitoring of liquids within pipes. The developments are said to deliver benefits to engineers and manufacturers.