Vannevar Bush (/væˈniːvɑːr/van-NEE-var; March 11, 1890– June 28, 1974) was an Americanengineer, inventor and science administrator, who during World War II headed the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD), through which almost all wartime military R&D was carried out, including initiation and early administration of the Manhattan Project. He is also known in engineering for his work on analog computers, for founding Raytheon, and for the memex, a hypothetical adjustable microfilm viewer with a structure analogous to that of hypertext. In 1945, Bush published the essay "As We May Think" in which he predicted that "wholly new forms of encyclopedias will appear, ready made with a mesh of associative trails running through them, ready to be dropped into the memex and there amplified". The memex influenced generations of computer scientists, who drew inspiration from its vision of the future. He was chiefly responsible for the movement that led to the creation of the National Science Foundation.
The National Science Board established the Vannevar Bush Award (/væˈniːvər/van-NEE-vər) in 1980 to honor Vannevar Bush's unique contributions to public service. The annual award recognizes an individual who, through public service activities in science and technology, has made an outstanding "contribution toward the welfare of mankind and the Nation." The recipient of the award receives a bronze medal struck in the memory of Dr. Bush.
Vannevar Bush (1890–1974) was a prominent scientist, adviser to US presidents, and the force behind the establishment of the National Science Foundation. In 1945, at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, he wrote a famous essay entitled Science, the Endless Frontier which recommended that a foundation be established by American Congress to serve as a focal point for the USA Federal Government's support and encouragement of research and education in science and technology as well as the development of a national science policy. The legislation creating the National Science Foundation was signed by president Harry S. Truman on May 10, 1950.
Lubchenco on receiving the 2018 Vannevar Bush Award
Jane Lubchenco, prominent marine ecologist, and science leader was recognized with the 2018 Vannevar Bush Award for her considerable contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science. Lubchenco describes how this prestigious award shines a spotlight on science.
published: 01 Oct 2018
Ralph Gomory Wins the 2021 Vannevar Bush Award from the NSB
With this video, the National Science Board (NSB) honors Ralph Gomory for his long record of mathematical, scientific, and technological achievements, and for work he did while an executive at IBM and as the leader of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Gomory received the prestigious Vannevar Bush Award in May 2021. The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the U.S. through public service in science, technology, and public policy.
published: 21 May 2021
Roderic Pettigrew, Winner of the 2020 Vannevar Bush Award from the NSB
The Vannevar Bush Award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy. Throughout his career, Roderic Pettigrew has worked to break down the boundaries between those working in the physical sciences and engineering and those working in medicine. This video showcases and celebrates his work.
published: 12 Jan 2021
Richard Garwin Wins the 2023 Vannevar Bush Award from the NSB
published: 17 May 2023
NSB Public Service and Vannevar Bush Award Winners 2020
Featuring NSB 2020 Awardees: Richard Ladner, NSB Public Service Awardee; Roderic Pettigrew, Vannevar Bush Awardee; Maya Ajmera, NSB Public Service Awardee
published: 31 Mar 2022
The Vannevar Bush Award to James J. Duderstadt
published: 27 May 2017
Walter E. Masey Receives Vannevar Bush Award for Science and Technology Leaders
The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy
published: 09 Aug 2020
2024 NSB Vannevar Bush Awardee John Hennessy
John Hennessy
Director, Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Stanford University
NSB awarded John Hennessy its Vannevar Bush Award for his pioneering advances in computer architecture and leadership for both academic and corporate endeavors.
published: 06 May 2024
Tribute to Vannevar Bush an American electrical engineer, inventor and science administrator,
Vannevar Bush Born 11 Mar 1890; died 28 Jun 1974 .
American electrical engineer who headed the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development during WW II to
stimulate scientific research. His office contracted with, and coordinated research by, universities and industry.
The office funded a wide field of activities, such as antibiotic research, improving explosives, and devising
blood substitutes. Before the war, in 1925, at age 35, he developed the differential analyzer, the world’s first
analog computer. It was capable of solving differential equations. (This put into productive form, the mechanical
concept left incomplete by Charles Babbage, 50 years earlier; and theoretical work by Lord Kelvin). The machine
filled a 20×30 ft (6×9 m) room. He seeded ideas later ...
Jane Lubchenco, prominent marine ecologist, and science leader was recognized with the 2018 Vannevar Bush Award for her considerable contributions to the welfar...
Jane Lubchenco, prominent marine ecologist, and science leader was recognized with the 2018 Vannevar Bush Award for her considerable contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science. Lubchenco describes how this prestigious award shines a spotlight on science.
Jane Lubchenco, prominent marine ecologist, and science leader was recognized with the 2018 Vannevar Bush Award for her considerable contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science. Lubchenco describes how this prestigious award shines a spotlight on science.
With this video, the National Science Board (NSB) honors Ralph Gomory for his long record of mathematical, scientific, and technological achievements, and for w...
With this video, the National Science Board (NSB) honors Ralph Gomory for his long record of mathematical, scientific, and technological achievements, and for work he did while an executive at IBM and as the leader of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Gomory received the prestigious Vannevar Bush Award in May 2021. The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the U.S. through public service in science, technology, and public policy.
With this video, the National Science Board (NSB) honors Ralph Gomory for his long record of mathematical, scientific, and technological achievements, and for work he did while an executive at IBM and as the leader of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Gomory received the prestigious Vannevar Bush Award in May 2021. The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the U.S. through public service in science, technology, and public policy.
The Vannevar Bush Award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in sci...
The Vannevar Bush Award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy. Throughout his career, Roderic Pettigrew has worked to break down the boundaries between those working in the physical sciences and engineering and those working in medicine. This video showcases and celebrates his work.
The Vannevar Bush Award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy. Throughout his career, Roderic Pettigrew has worked to break down the boundaries between those working in the physical sciences and engineering and those working in medicine. This video showcases and celebrates his work.
Featuring NSB 2020 Awardees: Richard Ladner, NSB Public Service Awardee; Roderic Pettigrew, Vannevar Bush Awardee; Maya Ajmera, NSB Public Service Awardee
Featuring NSB 2020 Awardees: Richard Ladner, NSB Public Service Awardee; Roderic Pettigrew, Vannevar Bush Awardee; Maya Ajmera, NSB Public Service Awardee
Featuring NSB 2020 Awardees: Richard Ladner, NSB Public Service Awardee; Roderic Pettigrew, Vannevar Bush Awardee; Maya Ajmera, NSB Public Service Awardee
The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technolo...
The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy
The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy
John Hennessy
Director, Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Stanford University
NSB awarded John Hennessy its Vannevar Bush Award for his pioneering advances in ...
John Hennessy
Director, Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Stanford University
NSB awarded John Hennessy its Vannevar Bush Award for his pioneering advances in computer architecture and leadership for both academic and corporate endeavors.
John Hennessy
Director, Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Stanford University
NSB awarded John Hennessy its Vannevar Bush Award for his pioneering advances in computer architecture and leadership for both academic and corporate endeavors.
Vannevar Bush Born 11 Mar 1890; died 28 Jun 1974 .
American electrical engineer who headed the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development during WW I...
Vannevar Bush Born 11 Mar 1890; died 28 Jun 1974 .
American electrical engineer who headed the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development during WW II to
stimulate scientific research. His office contracted with, and coordinated research by, universities and industry.
The office funded a wide field of activities, such as antibiotic research, improving explosives, and devising
blood substitutes. Before the war, in 1925, at age 35, he developed the differential analyzer, the world’s first
analog computer. It was capable of solving differential equations. (This put into productive form, the mechanical
concept left incomplete by Charles Babbage, 50 years earlier; and theoretical work by Lord Kelvin). The machine
filled a 20×30 ft (6×9 m) room. He seeded ideas later adopted as internet hypertext links.«
Bush received the AIEE's Edison Medal in 1943, "for his contribution to the advancement of electrical engineering,
particularly through the development of new applications of mathematics to engineering problems, and for his
eminent service to the nation in guiding the war research program."
In 1945, Bush was awarded the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences.
In 1949, he received the IRI Medal from the Industrial Research Institute in recognition of his contributions as a
leader of research and development.
President Truman awarded Bush the Medal of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster in 1948.
President Lyndon Johnson awarded him the National Medal of Science in 1963.
President Richard Nixon presented him, as well as James B. Conant and General Leslie R. Groves with the unique
Atomic Pioneers Award from the Atomic Energy Commission in February 1970.
Bush was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1948, and an Officer of the French Legion
of Honor in 1955.
In 1980, the National Science Foundation created the Vannevar Bush Award to honor his contributions to public
service. The Vannevar Bush papers are located in several places, with the majority of the collection held at the
Library of Congress. Additional papers are held by the MIT Institute Archives and Special Collections, the
Carnegie Institution, and the National Archives and Records Administration.[
Vannevar Bush Born 11 Mar 1890; died 28 Jun 1974 .
American electrical engineer who headed the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development during WW II to
stimulate scientific research. His office contracted with, and coordinated research by, universities and industry.
The office funded a wide field of activities, such as antibiotic research, improving explosives, and devising
blood substitutes. Before the war, in 1925, at age 35, he developed the differential analyzer, the world’s first
analog computer. It was capable of solving differential equations. (This put into productive form, the mechanical
concept left incomplete by Charles Babbage, 50 years earlier; and theoretical work by Lord Kelvin). The machine
filled a 20×30 ft (6×9 m) room. He seeded ideas later adopted as internet hypertext links.«
Bush received the AIEE's Edison Medal in 1943, "for his contribution to the advancement of electrical engineering,
particularly through the development of new applications of mathematics to engineering problems, and for his
eminent service to the nation in guiding the war research program."
In 1945, Bush was awarded the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences.
In 1949, he received the IRI Medal from the Industrial Research Institute in recognition of his contributions as a
leader of research and development.
President Truman awarded Bush the Medal of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster in 1948.
President Lyndon Johnson awarded him the National Medal of Science in 1963.
President Richard Nixon presented him, as well as James B. Conant and General Leslie R. Groves with the unique
Atomic Pioneers Award from the Atomic Energy Commission in February 1970.
Bush was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1948, and an Officer of the French Legion
of Honor in 1955.
In 1980, the National Science Foundation created the Vannevar Bush Award to honor his contributions to public
service. The Vannevar Bush papers are located in several places, with the majority of the collection held at the
Library of Congress. Additional papers are held by the MIT Institute Archives and Special Collections, the
Carnegie Institution, and the National Archives and Records Administration.[
Jane Lubchenco, prominent marine ecologist, and science leader was recognized with the 2018 Vannevar Bush Award for her considerable contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science. Lubchenco describes how this prestigious award shines a spotlight on science.
With this video, the National Science Board (NSB) honors Ralph Gomory for his long record of mathematical, scientific, and technological achievements, and for work he did while an executive at IBM and as the leader of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Gomory received the prestigious Vannevar Bush Award in May 2021. The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the U.S. through public service in science, technology, and public policy.
The Vannevar Bush Award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy. Throughout his career, Roderic Pettigrew has worked to break down the boundaries between those working in the physical sciences and engineering and those working in medicine. This video showcases and celebrates his work.
Featuring NSB 2020 Awardees: Richard Ladner, NSB Public Service Awardee; Roderic Pettigrew, Vannevar Bush Awardee; Maya Ajmera, NSB Public Service Awardee
The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy
John Hennessy
Director, Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Stanford University
NSB awarded John Hennessy its Vannevar Bush Award for his pioneering advances in computer architecture and leadership for both academic and corporate endeavors.
Vannevar Bush Born 11 Mar 1890; died 28 Jun 1974 .
American electrical engineer who headed the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development during WW II to
stimulate scientific research. His office contracted with, and coordinated research by, universities and industry.
The office funded a wide field of activities, such as antibiotic research, improving explosives, and devising
blood substitutes. Before the war, in 1925, at age 35, he developed the differential analyzer, the world’s first
analog computer. It was capable of solving differential equations. (This put into productive form, the mechanical
concept left incomplete by Charles Babbage, 50 years earlier; and theoretical work by Lord Kelvin). The machine
filled a 20×30 ft (6×9 m) room. He seeded ideas later adopted as internet hypertext links.«
Bush received the AIEE's Edison Medal in 1943, "for his contribution to the advancement of electrical engineering,
particularly through the development of new applications of mathematics to engineering problems, and for his
eminent service to the nation in guiding the war research program."
In 1945, Bush was awarded the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences.
In 1949, he received the IRI Medal from the Industrial Research Institute in recognition of his contributions as a
leader of research and development.
President Truman awarded Bush the Medal of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster in 1948.
President Lyndon Johnson awarded him the National Medal of Science in 1963.
President Richard Nixon presented him, as well as James B. Conant and General Leslie R. Groves with the unique
Atomic Pioneers Award from the Atomic Energy Commission in February 1970.
Bush was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1948, and an Officer of the French Legion
of Honor in 1955.
In 1980, the National Science Foundation created the Vannevar Bush Award to honor his contributions to public
service. The Vannevar Bush papers are located in several places, with the majority of the collection held at the
Library of Congress. Additional papers are held by the MIT Institute Archives and Special Collections, the
Carnegie Institution, and the National Archives and Records Administration.[
Vannevar Bush (/væˈniːvɑːr/van-NEE-var; March 11, 1890– June 28, 1974) was an Americanengineer, inventor and science administrator, who during World War II headed the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD), through which almost all wartime military R&D was carried out, including initiation and early administration of the Manhattan Project. He is also known in engineering for his work on analog computers, for founding Raytheon, and for the memex, a hypothetical adjustable microfilm viewer with a structure analogous to that of hypertext. In 1945, Bush published the essay "As We May Think" in which he predicted that "wholly new forms of encyclopedias will appear, ready made with a mesh of associative trails running through them, ready to be dropped into the memex and there amplified". The memex influenced generations of computer scientists, who drew inspiration from its vision of the future. He was chiefly responsible for the movement that led to the creation of the National Science Foundation.
Jim Speck will use his Vannevar BushAward to advance understanding of the physics of such interactions ... Little-understood physics in gallium-nitride LEDs garners UCSB's Jim Speck a prestigious Vannevar Bush award.