Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Evolution of the organisation

In In 1915, prime minister Billy Hughes convened a conference in order to establish the Advisory Council of Science and Industry, which was established in 1916. Geologist and polar explorer Sir Douglas Mawson represented the University of Adelaide at the conference, and in early 1916 participated in the first executive meetings of the new body, in which its charter and operational procedures were established. The goal of the Advisory Council was the establishment of a permanent "Institute of Science and Industry".

However, the advisory council struggled with insufficient funding during the First World War. In 1920 the council was renamed the Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry, established by the Institute of Science and Industry Act 1920. This body was led by George Handley Knibbs (1921–26), but continued to struggle financially.

Implementing the 1923 Imperial Conference's call for colonies to broaden their economic base, in 1926 the Australian Parliament modified the principal Act (the Institute of Science and Industry Act 1920) for national scientific research by passing the Science and Industry Research Act 1926. The same conference led to the creation of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Zealand.

The new Act replaced the institute with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). With encouragement from prime minister Stanley Bruce, strengthened national science leadership and increased research funding, CSIR grew rapidly and achieved significant early successes. The council was structured to represent the federal structure of government in Australia, and had state-level committees and a central council. In addition to an improved structure, CSIR benefited from strong bureaucratic management under George Julius, David Rivett, and Arnold Richardson. Research focused on primary and secondary industries. Early in its existence, CSIR established divisions studying animal health and animal nutrition. After the Great Depression, research was extended into manufacturing and other secondary industries.

In 1949 the Act was changed again, and the entity name amended to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. The amendment enlarged and reconstituted the organisation and its administrative structure. Under Ian Clunies Ross as chairman, CSIRO pursued new areas such as radio astronomy and industrial chemistry. In 1952, its five key areas were reported as being: industrial microbiology; research of rare minerals; solar energy; finding out what causes lamb and cow infertility; and, lastly agricultural engineering.