Edward Emil David Jr. (born 1925) is an American electrical engineer who served as science advisor to President Richard M. Nixon and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology from 1970-1973.
David earned his doctorate in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1947. He took a job with Bell Telephone Laboratories and worked there from 1950 to 1970, eventually becoming Executive Director, Research. Following the resignation of Lee A. DuBridge, David was appointed as Nixon's science advisor.[1] David resigned in 1973, citing "disappointment that his advice had not been heeded."[2] He then took a position as Executive Vice President of R&D and Planning for Gould, Inc. from 1973 to 1977.
He founded consulting group EED, Inc. in 1977, advising industry, government and universities on technology, research and innovation management. In 1977, he became President of Research and Engineering for Exxon Corporation, serving until 1985. He joined the The Washington Advisory Group in 1997, serving as Treasurer until 2004. He is currently Director of the Ronson Corporation.
David was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1966. In 1974, he was elected to the MIT Corporation and is a Life Member. He was awarded the The Delmer S. Fahrney Medal in 1985.