On this day in history,...

...in 1927, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) voted to establish a Committee on Oceanography to assess the United States' role in global oceanographic research. As part of this effort, the committee commissioned Dr. Henry Bryant Bigelow to prepare a report, which later became the seminal work "Oceanography: Its Scope, Problems, and Economic Importance". This book was not a conventional academic textbook but rather a broad and integrative review of marine science, examining its many dimensions and practical applications.

Prior to Bigelow’s work, oceanography was often treated as a collection of independent disciplines, with studies in physical, chemical, and biological oceanography progressing largely in isolation. His book provided a holistic perspective, incorporating not only physical and biological aspects of oceanography but also submarine geology and the interactions between ocean and atmosphere. Furthermore, it underscored the economic significance of oceanographic research, highlighting its relevance to fisheries, navigation, and resource exploration.

The publication of "Oceanography" shaped marine science in the United States. It guided national policy, helping to define research priorities and justify the expansion of oceanographic institutions. The book also encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration, reinforcing the idea that understanding the ocean required a synthesis of various scientific perspectives. Bigelow’s vision helped to lay the groundwork for the development of oceanography as a more structured and coordinated field, ultimately influencing future research initiatives and the establishment of dedicated marine research programs.

Bigelow’s "Oceanography" remains a significant historical document in the field, reflecting an early yet remarkably modern approach to studying the oceans. It recognized the complexity of marine systems and the necessity of viewing them as interconnected components of a larger Earth system, a perspective that continues to shape oceanographic research today.

Sources

•    Bigelow, H. B. (1931). Oceanography: Its Scope, Problems, and Economic Importance. Downloadable at https://hdl.handle.net/1912/219.
•    National Research Council. (1930). Report of the Committee on Oceanography of the National Academy of Sciences. Link