Chris,
It is private persons who do the research and developement - at least in the
United States, and in most of the less socialistic nations. Governments are
not in the business of invention, design, developement etc. They buy things
that appeal to their needs. During wartime of course government has
(particularly in WW2) sometimes been actively involved in certain projects -
but more as observers even then. Radar took some leaps during WW2 - but
again it was private/commercial brains that did the real work. Satellites as
well were born on the ideas of such things as global communications - a
commercial venture. UAVs are another example; they are basically remotely
controlled flying machines that are nothing more than highly developed
versions of radio controlled model planes. The only difference is that the
appropriate industries have finally mangaed to sell the idea to government
on a large scale.
I do agree that the interaction of commerce and government are complimentary
in this regard. Defense contracting people, industrial producers, and
politicians etc mixing it up together for mutual gain. But I think there is
a distinction in the brains - ingenuity - and developement side. Even during
wartime, many or most of those pushing a technology have been civilians -
including people who work in the private sector and get "borrowed" by the
government for their *expertise* in particular areas.
Government and the military should like spending our money on some things
though ;)
Cheers,
Lee
----Original Message Follows----
From: Chris Barker <imagopus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [OM] Further on technology (R&D)
I am sure that it is a mix of both Lee, but it is pretty certain that
big expensive projects that have little commercial application will
not be developed by private individuals or enterprise unless there is
private money to throw away. Governments have the money and the
"defence" industry the contacts in government to develop and procure
expensive, non-commercial items like big guns, satellites, radars.
These items can produce by-product technology which is then adopted
by enterprises which see a commercial application (and for many
people, technology is attractive in itself - witness multifunction
displays on wonderbricks).
As for miniaturised electronics, I am sure that commercial and
military development is complementary. My new Ericsson mobile phone
is minute, but miniature flying machines (UAVs) seem to have only a
military impetus at present from what I have read.
Don't forget that governments are manned by politicians who are
biddable by rich defence companies, just like oil barons etc... I
make no distinction between BAe in this country (and GEC before they
porked their business around!) and the various US companies behaving
dishonestly with their respective governments.
Chris
At 04:23 -0500 26/7/02, Lee Penzias wrote:
Actually, it has been private individuals and enterprize.
Governments - and the military - have then bought the stuff from
them after the fact. Although nowadays governments sometimes lay
down contract specs, then invite R&D and bids etc for major
projects, most major advances have been privately researched (or
discovered/invented) and developed -then adopted with modification
for military use. Of course anything of true strategic value is
often declared "secret" until it is "obsolete" - and then allowed to
trickle down to the rtegular commercial markets.
Miniturized electronics is a good example here. It wasn't the
military who "developed" them - it was private inginuity and
expertize. After it became old hat, it was then allowed to be sold
to ordinary folk on commercial lines.
Governments have often generally been some of the last and most
difficult people to convince of the merits of any given "project".
Especially if it has other social and or political implications. Of
course "other" businesses have been known to attempt to stall of
stifle threats to their interests as well ;)
Regards,
Lee
--
<|_:-)_|>
C M I Barker
Cambridgeshire, Great Britain.
?
+44 (0)7092 251126
mailto:imagopus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.threeshoes.co.uk
... a nascent photo library.
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