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In 1953, my father, then Director Allen V Astin,
spoke before the American Physical Society about the agency's values and
the critical role its scientific advances played in
supporting US industry. >> The bureau staff believes
first of all in the importance of scientific research as
the foundation of our technological economy and high standard of living, and
as the bulwark of our national security. >> We work at the forefront of science,
developing new ways to undertake both fundamental measurements.
And also improved ways to make the practical day-to-day measurements that
make industry and commerce and
markets work. >> As the world gets more complex,
the need for having precise as well as accurate
measurements increase. >> We believe in
the philosophy of Lord Kelvin.
That basic understanding in science depends on measurement.
The reduction of observation to numbers. >> And why is measurement so important?
I think that's it, that it allows us to develop
new technologies. >> To me, NIST always has played this one
foundational role that no one else really can do, which is around
measurement science and technology and the measurement infrastructure.
Now building on that, of course NIST does other things as well.
But all of us in the technical community, across government, across the private
sector, really rely on NIST for that part. >> We believe
that there is romance in precision measurement.
And that ability to extend the absolute accuracy of measurement by
one decimal decimal place.
Frequently demands as much ingenuity, perseverance, and
analytical competence as does the discovery of a new principle or
effect in science. >> What NIST is to me
is the literally leading edge of measurements.
And the measurements that are absolutely critical for
pure basic science, as well as for manufacturing.
It covers that entire gamut. >> If you know how to measure it,
then you can begin to learn how to control it, to design it, and to shape it.
And that's really the essence in technological innovation.
So in fact, the capacity to measure at increasingly accurate or
precise levels is completely entwined with our ability to innovate and
develop new technologies. >> We stress reliability and
accuracy in our operations and in checking and rechecking our results.
We stress objectivity and
fairness in our operations. >> What do you think is
the most precious asset the bureau standards that now NIST have?
And you ask anybody that works in that agency,
what's the most important thing about your agency?
And they say our reputation for being honest and
dependable and accurate. >> NIST is literally has to be
the more accurate, the faster, the better than anybody else because it will define
how everyone else is going to be using it. >> We take pride in the concept of
service, in providing assistance to science, to industry and
to government. >> The role of NIST is
to work with a diversity of clients, and
it's essentially the clientele of this institution is the entire
world of science and technology. >> I could
not have imagined a better place to spend my career,
one where I knew every day when I got up to come in that I was
doing something that was important to me personally, but
also had an impact on our global society. >> As
you can see that message my father first shared in 1953
has resonated with staff and directors ever since.
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