Choosing a chronological point of departure is a question which plagues all historians. After much thought and discussion with colleagues, I chose the end of 1957. Research and development were vigorous and flourishing, but the basic technical principles were not in doubt: they were being pursued to reach new goals and extend the range of application. A completely chronological approach was impossible, but in the three areas of application I could sketch some of the history. The result is a series of essays. Chapter 1 sets forth some background on pressurized water reactor technology, Naval Reactors, Admiral Rickover and the Government framework in which the naval nuclear propulsion program functioned. Chapters 2 and 3 deal with the application of the technology to submarines, and chapters 4, 5, and 6 to naval surface ships. Chapter 7 is about a proposal to use nuclear propulsion as a diplomatic pawn. Chapter 8 is about the application of pressurized water reactor technology at the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the world's first full-scale civilian nuclear power plant, and about the light water breeder effort. In Chapters 9, 10, and 11 the focus changes sharply, and is upon ''The Discipline of Technology,'' a phrase Admiral Rickover frequently used to describe his own approach to technological innovation and operation. Chapter 9 describes the organization of the program in the later years of his leadership; Chapter 10 how Naval Reactors maintained standards of excellence; and Chapter 11 summarizes Admiral Rickover's philosophy of technology. 607 refs. (ERA citation 14:007809)


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    Title :

    Discipline of Technology: Admiral Rickover and the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, 1957-1982


    Contributors:
    F. Duncan (author)

    Publication date :

    1982


    Size :

    469 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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