''Scientists Against Time'' is a nonfiction history book by

James Phinney Baxter III James Phinney Baxter III (February 15, 1893 in Portland, Maine – June 17, 1975 in Williamstown, Massachusetts) was an American historian, educator, and academic, who won the 1947 Pulitzer Prize for History for his book ''Scientists Against Time ...

. It was published in 1946 by Little, Brown and Company, and won the 1947 Pulitzer Prize for History. The book provides a comprehensive account of the scientific and technical mobilization of the United States during World War II, detailing the crucial role played by scientists and engineers in supporting the Allied war effort through innovation and research.

Summary

''Scientists Against Time'' delves into the rapid development and application of scientific discoveries and technological advancements during World War II. Baxter meticulously documents how these contributions, from radar to the proximity fuse, played a decisive role in the Allied victory. The book is structured around the challenges faced by the United States as it transitioned from a peacetime to a wartime footing, highlighting the establishment of organizations like the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD), led by

Vannevar Bush Vannevar Bush ( ; March 11, 1890 – June 28, 1974) was an American engineer, 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 ...

. Baxter's narrative covers a wide range of topics, including but not limited to: * The development of radar technology and its impact on air and naval warfare. * The invention and deployment of the proximity fuse. * Advances in medicine, such as penicillin production and malaria control. * The Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb.

Legacy

The legacy of ''Scientists Against Time'' is in its comprehensive portrayal of an era when science and technology became integral to national defense and strategy. It serves as a reminder of the potential for scientific innovation to alter the course of history.

References

Pulitzer Prize for History-winning works 1946 non-fiction books Little, Brown and Company books {{US-hist-book-stub