Vannevar Bush was born in Everett, Massachusetts, to Perry Bush, a Universalist minister, and Emma Linwood Paine Bush. His upbringing emphasized intellectual curiosity and a commitment to public service.

Bush earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University. He demonstrated an early aptitude for engineering and mathematics.

After graduating, Bush worked at General Electric, gaining practical engineering experience that complemented his academic studies. This exposure to real-world engineering challenges further shaped his problem-solving abilities.

Bush achieved a Doctor of Engineering jointly from MIT and Tufts University, showcasing his advanced knowledge and research capabilities. His dissertation likely focused on an electrical engineering topic.