May 2000 Public Funding Information technology is based on more than two generations of formal, scientific research done mostly at our leading research Universities. Clever engineers working in the family garage are standing on the shoulders of fundamental, formal, academic scientists Investment in basic research was critical in the past and remains so now.
Basic research creates the next technological frontiers.
Yet, no company could seriously contemplate a business strategy based on the uncertainties of basic discovery. Corporate downsizing has led to refocusing industrial research away from basic science toward ever more mission-oriented development.