[fightin kentuckian]

Researchers my foot. Since when did researchers ever invent anything the free market could use. All useful inventions were invented by a hard working entrepreneur building a better mouse trap.

[Dr. Sivana]

Since when did researchers ever invent anything the free market could use.

It happens sometimes. Sometimes by accident. For instance a Searle researcher noticed that aspartame was sweet. Another researcher noriced that the chicolate bar in his pocket melted when exposed to microwaves. Teflon was a by-product of the research related to the Apollo missions. This is not the most efficient way, but it happens. You still need someone, if not the researcher himself, to come up with the “Ah ha!” moment. Most famously, the Palo Alto RESEARCH Center came up with LOTS of great ideas. Steve Jobs recognized the potential and cashed in, but it would not have happened without the research.