Editing CSIRO (section)

== History ==
===Evolution of the organisation===
A precursor to CSIRO, the Advisory Council of Science and Industry, was established in 1916 on the initiative of prime minister [[Billy Hughes]]. 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, and was led by [[George Handley Knibbs]] (1921–26), but continued to struggle financially.<ref>{{Cite book |first=George |last=Currie |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/925648548 |title=The origins of CSIRO : science and the Commonwealth government 1901-1926 |date=1966 |publisher=Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization |oclc=925648548}}</ref>

Implementing the [[1923 Imperial Conference]]'s call for colonies to broaden their economic base, in 1926 the [[Parliament of Australia|Australian Parliament]] modified the principal Act (the Institute of Science and Industry Act 1920<ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|num_act|iosaia192022o1920403|Institute of Science and Industry Act 1920}}{{cbignore}}</ref>) for national scientific research by passing the ''Science and Industry Research Act 1926''.<ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|num_act|saira192620o1926325|Science and Industry Research Act 1926}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The same conference led to the creation of the [[Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (New Zealand)|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.<ref name="ourhistory">{{cite web |url= http://csiropedia.csiro.au/our-history/ |title= Our history |first=Colin |last=Ward |date= 10 December 2015 |website= CSIROpedia |publisher= CSIRO |access-date= 16 April 2018 }}</ref>

In 1949 the Act was changed again,<ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|act|saira1949279|Science and Industry Research Act 1949}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 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 [[Chemical industry|industrial chemistry]]. CSIRO still operates under the provisions of the 1949 Act in a wide range of scientific inquiry.<ref name="ourhistory"/>

Participation by women in CSIRO research was severely limited by the Australian government policy, in place until 1966, forcing women public servants out of their jobs when they married.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Carey |first=Jane |title=Taking to the Field |publisher=[[Monash University Publishing]] |year=2023}}</ref> Even unmarried women were considered a poor investment because they might eventually marry. Single women such as [[Helen Alma Newton Turner|Helen Newton Turner]] nevertheless made major contributions.

Since 1949, CSIRO has expanded its activities to almost every field of primary, secondary and tertiary industry, including the environment, human nutrition, conservation, urban and rural planning, and water.<ref name="ourhistory"/> It works with leading organisations around the world and maintains more than 50 sites across Australia and in France, Chile and the United States of America, employing about 5500 people.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.csiro.au/en/About/International | title=International collaboration | publisher=CSIRO | access-date=8 February 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csiro.au/en/About/International |title=International collaboration |website=Csiro.au |date=28 January 2016 |access-date=4 January 2017}}</ref>

In 2016 CSIRO launched its "Innovation Catalyst" Strategy which focused on solving Australia's Innovation Dilemma, it generated $10,000,000,000 more social, economic, and environmental value than any prior strategy, and trained 3,500 researchers from across 32 Universities on the process of innovation, and became the first Australian entity of any kind to reach the Thomson Reuters Global Top 25 Innovators.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-19 |title=Why Larry Marshall turned down a job extension at CSIRO |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/why-larry-marshall-turned-down-a-job-extension-at-csiro-20230613-p5dgaj |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[Australian Financial Review]] |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2025, research from Pollster DemosAU identified the CSIRO as Australia's second most trusted national institution, behind the [[Bureau of Meteorology]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-12 |title=Australia's Most Trusted Institutions: BoM, CSIRO, AEC |url=https://demosau.com/news/australias-most-trusted-institution/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=demosau.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Achievements ===

* National Research "Flagships" launched in 2003, expanded 2007 to $250,000,000 in research funding<ref>{{Cite web |title=the CSIRO National Research Flagships program - fundsforNGOs - Grants and Resources for Sustainability |url=https://www.fundsforngos.org/tag/the-csiro-national-research-flagships-program/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Sues Global Chip makers over WiFi Patent infringement 2005, wins $205,000,000 in 2009, and $105,000,000 by 2016<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullin |first=Joe |date=2012-04-05 |title=How the Aussie government "invented WiFi" and sued its way to $430 million |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/04/how-the-aussie-government-invented-wifi-and-sued-its-way-to-430-million/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Dr Cathy Foley becomes CSIRO's first Chief Scientist in 2018, then Australia's Chief Scientist in 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-29 |title=CSIRO's chief scientist Cathy Foley wants colleagues to "feel loved" |url=https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/careers/csiros-chief-scientist-cathy-foley-wants-colleagues-to-feel-loved-20180828-h14ltb |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
* CSIRO becomes first Australian entity to reach the Thomson Reuters Global Top 25 Innovators, beating NASA in 2018
* Health Business Unit is created in 2016, enables scale up and, in partnership with CSL, mass production of Australia's only COVID vaccine in 2020, and invests $450,000,000 to create Australian Center for Disease Preparedness<ref>{{Cite web |title=CORONAVIRUS: CSIRO ARMED NATION FOR INFECTIOUS INVADER. - Document - Gale Academic OneFile Select |url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA622478062&sid=sitemap&v=2.1&it=r&p=EAIM&sw=w&userGroupName=anon~b94d2a56&aty=open-web-entry |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=go.gale.com}}</ref>
* CSIRO makes first acquisition, NICTA creating Australia's largest Digital and AI group<ref>{{Cite web |last=CSIRO |title=CSIRO's Data61 delivers for Australia in its first year of operations |url=https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2017/June/CSIROs-Data61-delivers-for-Australia-in-its-first-year-of-operations |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.csiro.au |language=en}}</ref>
* "ON" becomes Australia's first National Science Accelerator, training 3,500 university researchers across 33 institutions, and beating the prestigious US iCorps program by 2018, with 300% higher financial outcomes, diversity, and innovation ecosystem penetration<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riley |first=Pete |last2=Ben-Nun |first2=Michal |last3=Turtle |first3=James A. |last4=Linker |first4=Jon |last5=Bacon |first5=David P. |last6=Riley |first6=Steven |date=2017-08-11 |title=Identifying factors that may improve mechanistic forecasting models for influenza |url=https://doi.org/10.1101/172817 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=doi.org}}</ref>
* Female leadership doubles by 2020, bringing CSIRO into the Sage "green" zone for gender equity for first time in 100y<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-26 |title=We need to turn invention into innovation |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/we-need-to-turn-invention-into-innovation-20230925-p5e7b2 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
* CSIRO marches in Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for first time, CEO joins<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hirst |first=Jordan |date=2019-02-21 |title=CSIRO telescope turns rainbow as staff march in first Sydney Mardi Gras |url=https://qnews.com.au/csiro-telescope-turns-rainbow-as-staff-march-in-first-sydney-mardi-gras/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=QNews |language=en-us}}</ref>
* Main Sequence Ventures is created in 2017 as first Venture Capital fund inside government, becomes $1,000,000,000 top-quartile global fund<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riley |first=James |date=2017-11-03 |title=Larry Marshall's Main Sequence |url=https://www.innovationaus.com/larry-marshalls-main-sequence/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=InnovationAus.com |language=en-AU}}</ref>
* By 2023 "Innovation Catalyst" strategy creates $10,000,000,000 more value than any prior strategy, and $400,000,000 per year greater investment in science<ref name=":0" />
* CSIRO wins Roy Morgan Most Trusted Brand for first time in 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australia Post, ABC, Aussie Broadband, CSIRO and Red Cross win most trusted services and communications brands in 2024 - Roy Morgan Research |url=https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9758-trusted-brand-awards-2024-services-brands-and-companies |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.roymorgan.com}}</ref> 
* CSIRO achieves first emissions reduction in 100y, reaching 83% of Net Zero by 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Making net zero a reality |url=https://www.ceda.com.au/newsandresources/opinion/energy/making-net-zero-a-reality |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=CEDA}}</ref>

=== Inventions ===
Notable inventions and breakthroughs by CSIRO include:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daroczy |first=Jenna |date=September 11, 2015 |title=10 of our best inventions |url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/our-top-10-inventions/ |website=CSIRO}}</ref>
* A4 DSP chip
* [[Aerogard]], insect repellent
* [[Atomic absorption spectroscopy]]
* [[Biological control]] of [[Salvinia]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Colin |date=2013-09-05 |title=Salvinia biocontrol |url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/salvinia-biocontrol/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=CSIROpedia |language=en-AU}}</ref>
* Development of [[Linola]] (a [[flax]] variety with low [[alpha-linolenic acid]] content) with a longer life used as a stockfeed
* [[Distance measuring equipment]] (DME) used for aviation navigation
* [[Gene|Gene shears]]
* Interscan [[Microwave landing system]], a microwave approach and landing system for aircraft
* Use of [[myxomatosis]] and [[calicivirus]] to control rabbit numbers
* [[Parkes Observatory|Parkes Radio Telescope]]
* The permanent [[pleat]] for fabrics
* [[Frederick Kenneth McTaggart#Patents|Plasma sintering]]
* [[Polymer banknote]]
* [[Frederick Kenneth McTaggart#Patents|Production of metals from their halides]]
* [[Relenza]] flu drug
* [[ISASMELT#History of the ISASMELT Process|Sirosmelt lance]]
* "Softly" woollens detergent
* [[Phase-contrast X-ray imaging]]
* Method to use titanium in [[3D printing]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Swan|first1=David|title=Titomic soars on ASX debut, plans facility with large-scale 3D printer|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/titomic-soars-on-listing/news-story/e4462ec453a0c8c20421660ef9a245ef|work=The Australian|date=21 September 2017}}</ref>
* [[UltraBattery]]
* Essential components of [[Wi-Fi]] technology<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-resources/case-studies/csiro-wlan-patent|title = CSIRO's WLAN patent|date = 29 January 2016}}</ref>
* [https://research.csiro.au/robotics/zebedee/ Zebedee] - Mobile Handheld 3D Lidar Mapping technology<ref>{{Cite web |title=CSIRO Annual Report 2014-15 - Taking 3D laser mapping to the world |url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CSIROAnnualReport2014-15.pdf |page=55}}</ref>

===Historic research===
CSIRO had a pioneering role in the scientific discovery of the universe through radio "eyes". A team led by [[Paul Wild (Australian scientist)|Paul Wild]] built and operated (from 1948) the world's first solar radiospectrograph, and from 1967 the {{convert|3|km|mi|adj=mid|-diameter}} radioheliograph at Culgoora in New South Wales. For three decades, the Division of Radiophysics had a world-leading role in solar research, attracting prominent solar physicists from around the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csiro.au/news/ps47j |title=Dr John Paul Wild |publisher=CSIRO |date=16 May 2008 |access-date=22 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125053338/http://www.csiro.au/news/ps47j |archive-date=25 January 2015  }}</ref>

CSIRO owned the first computer in Australia, [[CSIRAC]], built as part of a project began in the Sydney Radiophysics Laboratory in 1947. The CSIR Mk 1 ran its first program in 1949, the fifth electronic computer in the world. It was over 1,000 times faster than the mechanical calculators available at the time. It was decommissioned in 1955 and recommissioned in Melbourne as CSIRAC in 1956 as a general purpose computing machine used by over 700 projects until 1964.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csse.unimelb.edu.au/dept/about/csirac/ |title=CSIRAC |publisher=[[University of Melbourne]] |work=Department of Computer Science and Engineering |access-date=8 May 2006 |author1=Steven Pass |author2=David Hornsby |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227165717/http://www.csse.unimelb.edu.au/dept/about/csirac/ |archive-date=27 February 2015  }}</ref> The CSIRAC is the only surviving first-generation computer in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/csirac/ |title=Museum Victoria's CSIRAC information site|access-date=26 April 2008 }}</ref>

Between 1965 and 1985, [[George Bornemissza]] of CSIRO's Division of Entomology founded and led the [[Australian Dung Beetle Project]]. Bornemissza, upon settling in Australia from Hungary in 1951, noticed that the pastureland was covered in dry cattle dung pads which did not seem to be recycled into the soil and caused areas of rank pasture which were unpalatable to the cattle. He proposed that the reason for this was that native Australian dung beetles, which had co-evolved alongside the marsupials (which produce dung very different in its composition from cattle), were not adapted to utilise cattle dung for their nutrition and breeding since cattle had only relatively recently been introduced to the continent in the 1880s. The Australian Dung Beetle Project sought, therefore, to introduce species of dung beetle from South Africa and Europe (which had co-evolved alongside bovids) in order to improve the fertility and quality of cattle pastures. Twenty-three species were successfully introduced throughout the duration of the project and also had the effect of reducing the pestilent bush fly population by 90%.<ref name="adbp">{{cite journal | author = Bornemissza G. F. | year = 1976 | title = The Australian dung beetle project 1965–1975 | journal = Australian Meat Research Committee Review | volume = 30 | pages = 1–30 }}</ref><!---Missylisa153, August 2009--->

===Domain name===
CSIRO was the first Australian organisation to start using the Internet<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aarnet.edu.au/about-us/history.aspx |title=History |publisher=[[AARNet]] |access-date=16 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412054848/https://www.aarnet.edu.au/about-us/history.aspx |archive-date=12 April 2011 }}</ref> and was able to register the [[second-level domain]] csiro.au (as opposed to csiro.org.au or csiro.com.au). Guidelines were introduced in 1996 to regulate the use of the [[.au]] domain.