[William Terrell]

My original point and belief was, if you invent something that will replace the primary product of a very powerful industry, and go through due process to manufacture it, at least nowadays, you will be blocked in various ways instigated by said industry.

Open source software is one thing. An engine that would destroy the fuel industry and the engines that use it are quite another.

[ovrtaxt]

I agree with that. Tesla experienced that backlash firsthand. Hopefully, things will change with regard to energy and engines.

I think the reason for the difference in software is the existing information infrastructure. The proliferation of open source software is too hard to control.