[artaxerces]

“A great society is not defined solely by the big buildings and monuments it builds. Most of the world’s greatest inventions of the past century that made our lives better, longer and easier were made in the USA.”

That is very true. We must also remember that during the 19th century, the U.S was the greatest perpetrator of technological theft/industrial espionage in the entire world. And considering that China is now in the top 3 in terms of annual technology patents when 20 years ago, it wasn’t in the top 50, this is alarming news.

[okie01]

We must also remember that during the 19th century, the U.S was the greatest perpetrator of technological theft/industrial espionage in the entire world.

Really? Do you have an authoritative source for this assertion?

Did Thomas Alva Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Robert Fulton, et al, "steal" their inventions from others?