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Article: National Academy of Sciences
- Article from:
- Dictionary of American History
- Author:
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NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
was established by Congress on 3 March 1863 as a private organization to investigate and report on any subject of science or art (technology) whenever called upon by any department of the government. Largely a creation of the Civil War, the academy proved its usefulness immediately when in 1864 it helped the Union navy design a compass that would work inside the new ironclad warships. In 1871 the academy drew up instructions for the government sponsored Arctic expedition of the
Polaris,
commanded by Charles F. Hall.
The National Research Council was established by the academy in 1916 at the request of President Woodrow Wilson. ...