Gibbs was highly esteemed by his friends, but U.S. science was too preoccupied with practical questions to make much use of his profound theoretical work during his lifetime.
Gibbs ay lubhang istimado sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga kaibigan, ngunit US science ay masyadong abalang-abala sa mga praktikal na mga katanungan upang gumawa ng maraming paggamit ng kanyang kalaliman panteorya trabaho sa panahon ng kanyang buhay.