The breakup of AT&T had a lot to do with this. Before this, AT&T had profit caps and had a choice -- plow the profits into research, good pay and benefits, beautiful facilities, etc. or give it to the government. Researchers were told to do 75% of possible products, and 25% on whatever interested them. This is how UNIX was invented, and how the Big Bang was discovered -- the 25%.Almost all research now is about marketable products whether in engineering, pharma, whatever and not about discovery. Shockingly, discovery has fallen off.

The breakup of AT&T had a lot to do with this. Before this, AT&T had profit caps and had a choice -- plow the profits into research, good pay and benefits, beautiful facilities, etc. or give it to the government. Researchers were told to do 75% of possible products, and 25% on whatever interested them. This is how UNIX was invented, and how the Big Bang was discovered -- the 25%.Almost all research now is about marketable products whether in engineering, pharma, whatever and not about discovery. Shockingly, discovery has fallen off.

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