Suggested Research Topics - Chasing Sputnik: Scientific Instruction, Research, and Administration at the University of Michigan in the Late Fifties

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik I and II in October l957 , the first artificial satellites to escape the earth's atmosphere. The Soviet launchings also set in motion a near-hysterical rush by the American press and public officials to decry the sorry state of American science. In the midst of a bitter Cold War, many Americans viewed the events as a clear manifestation that America had lost its scientific and technological leadership. There was fear that the Soviet space initiatives would pose a military threat to the U.S. Many commentators saw a political threat to the U.S. as well, reasoning that the Soviets had demonstrated the superiority of the communist system over capitalism. American scientists were not that impressed by the Soviet achievement because of the tiny size of the satellites, the low throw-weight of the Soviet rockets, and the relatively unsophisticated technology utilized. They said to a non-listening audience that we had had the same capabilities for some time, but were approaching space technology in a more sophisticated manner than the Russians. Nonetheless, the scientific communities in government, industry, and the academy launched a massive campaign, with the aid of the media and public officials, to promote basic and applied sciences. Governmental and private foundation funds were poured into a manifold of projects and programs in the hope of regaining the invisible mantle of world leadership in the arenas of science, military affairs, and politics. A research agenda and environment for the nation were set for the next generation, one that stressed science and technology.

How did the University of Michigan's regents, officers, faculty, and students respond to these events? Did scientific instruction and research on campus change at this time? What new programs were created? Were structural changes implemented to take advantage of the new research environment and new funding opportunities? Were there curriculum changes? Did enrollment in scientific and technological programs increase? What was the reaction of students as shown through student publications?

Examples of Primary Source Collections and Other Resources:


In an effort to encourage creative thinking about possible research topics for students unfamiliar with archives and their inevitable complexities, archivists and student employees of the Bentley Historical Library have authored "suggested research topics ." The purpose of these is not to define a topic but rather to stimulate thinking about a topic where the holdings of the Bentley Library are particularly strong.