1941: The institute idea is again tabled when the United States enters World War II.

1945: Plans for a research foundation are presented to Stanford President Donald Tresidder and Vice President Alvin Eurich, and to California Governor Earl Warren. San Francisco businessman Atholl McBean and Ernest Black of the Pacific Research Foundation in Los Angeles meet with Alvin Eurich at Stanford.

1946: Atholl McBean continues the campaign to establish a foundation dedicated to research in science, technology, industry, economics, and management. His dedication lead to his eventual acknowledgment as the founder, along with the Stanford University Board of Trustees, of Stanford Research Institute.

1946: The first research project begins—the investigation of improvement of the guayule plant as a source of rubber.

1947: William F. Talbot is named SRI's executive director. Donald B. Tresidder, president of Stanford University, is SRI's first chairman.

1947: The institute moves from the Stanford University campus to Stanford Village, the former site of the U.S. Army's Dibble Hospital in Menlo Park, still its headquarters today. At year's end, the institute has seven employees.

1947: The institute's first international project provides economic data regarding the U.S. and Latin America.

SRI logo circa 1948

1948: SRI inaugurates the International Division. The institute has 60 active research projects and 198 staff members.

1948: Jesse E. Hobson becomes SRI's executive director.

1949: SRI sponsors the first National Air Pollution Symposium in Pasadena, California, and the first annual Northern California Research Conference.