“Only after 1945, when United States science policy shaped the notion of basic research, did the concept revert to the older ideals of pure science. This revival of the purity discourse was caused by the specific historical situation in the US at that time: the need to reform federal research policy after the Second World War, the new dimension of ethical dilemmas in science and technology during the atomic era, and the tense political climate during the Cold War.”
Basic research is synonymous with what we call “Science” today. Applied research is synonymous to what we call “Engineering” today.
but while they are synonymous, the nuances of meanings have changed as well as the political baggage.