In 1915, the French government recognized that German scientists were significantly contributing to their military advantage and decided that France should also mobilize its engineers and academics for research on national defense rather than deploying them to the front, where many perished.
Paul Painlevé, a mathematician, was appointed Minister of Public Instruction and created the Directorate of Inventions for National Defense.
In December 1916, Painlevé left the government, and Breton became Secretary of State for Inventions under Minister of Artillery and Munitions Albert Thomas.
In 1922, chemist Charles Moureu persuaded deputy Maurice Barrès to advocate in Parliament for scientific research.
[1] When Jules-Louis Breton resigned in late 1938, Perrin decided to dissolve ONRSII and establish a new institution, the CNRSA, which focused on preparing for war.
Longchambon secured a directive from his supervising minister ordering the armed forces to submit their research requests to the CNRSA, making him responsible for scientific mobilization—aligning with Jean Perrin’s original intent for the organization.
Additionally, thematic commissions were set up to identify major challenges, leading to research funding agreements with laboratories.