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Each of the scientists on this board, in addition to acting in a general advisory capacity, is chairman of a committee of four or five men, whose business it is to make a survey of their special field and to determine the number of volumes required and the contents of each volume.

In December, 1925, the General Editor presented the project to the Eastern Division of the American Philosophical Association. After some discussion by the Executive Committee, it was approved and the philosophers of the board, with the General Editor as chairman, were appointed a committee to have charge of it. In November, 1927, the Carnegie Corporation of New York granted $10,000 to the American Philosophical Association as a revolving fund to help finance the series. In December, 1927, the American Association for the Advancement of Science approved the project, and appointed the General Editor and Professors Edwin G. Conklin and Harlow Shapley a committee to represent that Association In cooperation with the Advisory Board. In February, 1928, the History of Science Society officially endorsed the enterprise. Endorsements have also been given by the American Anthropological Association, the Mathematical Association of America, the American Mathematical Society, and the American Astronomical Society within their respective fields.

The General Editor wishes to thank the members of the Advisory Board for their assistance in launching this undertaking; Dr. J. McKeen Cattell for helpful advice in the early days of the project and later; Dr. William S. Learned for many valuable suggestions; the several societies and associations that have given their endorsements; and the Carnegie Corporation for the necessary initial financial assistance.