Science under Fire.

The article focuses on the significant impact of the dismissal of Dr. A.V. Astin, director of the US National Bureau of Standards (NBS), on the American scientific community in 1953. Astin was ousted after the NBS deemed the car battery additive AD-X2 ineffective, a decision that conflicted with the...

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Publicado en:History Today Vol. 75; no. 10; pp. 12 - 17
Autor principal: Martin, Joseph D.
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: History Today Ltd. Oct2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        au: Martin, Joseph D.
        affil: Associate Professor, History of Science and Technology, Durham University.
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        Scientific community
        Science associations
        United States. Dept. of Commerce
        Additives
        Autonomy (Psychology)
        Government agency personnel
        20th century United States history
        National Institute of Standards & Technology (U.S.)
        Government regulation
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          United States
          Scientific community
          Science associations
          United States. Dept. of Commerce
          Additives
          Autonomy (Psychology)
          Government agency personnel
          20th century United States history
          National Institute of Standards & Technology (U.S.)
          Government regulation
      ab: The article focuses on the significant impact of the dismissal of Dr. A.V. Astin, director of the US National Bureau of Standards (NBS), on the American scientific community in 1953. Astin was ousted after the NBS deemed the car battery additive AD-X2 ineffective, a decision that conflicted with the interests of Sinclair Weeks, the new Secretary of Commerce, who sought to support small businesses. The scientific community reacted strongly, with over 12 organizations publicly condemning the dismissal and advocating for the autonomy of scientific institutions. Ultimately, Astin was reinstated pending a review, which reinforced the principle that only the scientific community should govern its standards and practices, a lesson that remains relevant in contemporary discussions about the independence of scientific institutions in the US.
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