Provided in this book is a legislative and administrative history of the National Science Foundation (NSF) during its formative years (1945-57). The 15 chapter book is organized into three parts. Part 1 ("The Long Debate, 1945-50") narrates the legislative history of the Foundation's creation. Part 2 ("Beginning, 1950-54") discusses the appointment of NSF's first board, director, and staff; their early decisions on research and fellowship programs and means of administering them; and conflict over the agency's policy responsibility, culminating with the issuance of Executive Order 10521 in which NSF's duties and role in policy development and evaluation were defined. Part 3 ("Cold War Growth, 1954-57"), beginning approximately with the executive order and ending, again approximately, with the orbiting of the first Soviet Sputnik in October 1957, discusses NSF's expanding educational and research programs, including ventures into international cooperation, and the continuing effort to determine the Foundation's role in the making of national science policy. The text of Executive Order 10521 concerning government scientific research, excerpts from an interview with William E. Benson (June 12, 1975) on peer review in the earth science program, and NSF organizational structure (1950-57) are included in appendixes. Technical notes, glossary, and subject index are also included. (JN)