Arkansas State press., 1951-10-05

Invention And DEVELOPMENT
BY Robert Durr

BY Robert DUR
American citizens of 1851 enjoy way of life that would
have been the and wonder of his grandparents two short
generations In food clothing shelter and transportation
and convenience and comfort the standards of even the
most modest American homes have gone steadily upward Each
successful development in the laboratory has advanced Ame
can living way anohern fact scarcely be
accounted a success unless it does
Nor is this progress limited comfortswe have
gone ahead in other of significance to our
ultimate well being Since 1900 for example, but life expec
fancy has increased by nearly quarter of century American
boys and girls high school and college where their
grandparents out in the grade school level The work
week has fallen from 4S hours and upward 40 hour STAN
dard Backward and remote have been reclaimed by good
roads high speed transports and rapid communication
1t is essential that recognize that these gains social
and material have not been accomplished by legislation by
reals old affair but simply through the application
and encouragement of invention and development
Women not freed from their eighteenth century
Nude by feminist agitation but by the invention of the
ing machine the dshwasher and the bendx together with the
revolutionary developments for handling and distributing
foodstuffs.
Peasentry the farm not banished by reform
ediet but by the iron pow the reaper and the tractor
The u hour shift and the six day week could not have
disappeared from the through laws of social upheaa
had not modern machinery developed by research made it
possible for the American workman of 1850 produce many
times much goods the workman of 1850
The automobiles, prominently product of research has
widened and enriched lives in impossible achieve
through legislation AT every hand is plain that the improve
ments leading advancement have origin in invention
and development There is alternative.
Perhaps it can be fairly said that have not yet
learned to make effective of these contributions Ger
tany the ultimate social merit of increased longevty of
rapid communication of greater leisure depend the
to which put them Nevertheless the tools there,
ready to hand and have doubt that the time will
come when we will have the spiritual grace employ them
to the greatest benefit.
And still the horizons far beyond the range of
our immediate vision As long the nations laboratories
are active there be mature economy there be only
growth and improvement Industrial research and I'm
VIII, produce benefits far beyond anything know
Many major developments within sight.
Actually think that there is much for believing
that spiritual progress follows
fort Man is constituted that he thinks primarily of his
need for food shelter and clothing. If his efforts with
success he is than likely then to think of his social
responsibilities his fellow am sure that our ma
ona spirit of generosity has its in the rch
c soil of our relatives national prosperity Individually and
collectively we are generous people but submit that that
Is due to our inherent moral fiber the fact that having
so amply filled our own material wants afford to
give sympathetic thought to the needs of Others
have said that material progress is chiefly de-
pendent the output of research institutions There
are however two equally essential links in the chain
Meeting and effect
First must have a steady flow of basic knowledge
continuously expanding of scientific nforma
ton For that we must rely primarily upon the universities
since it Is in that atmosphere that search for basic
truth and new knowledge effectively flourish
1t the task of industrial research the other hand
TO Implement to work out to apply the bright prnci-
piles coming out of basic research convert them into
goods and services that lead ultimately mans material
bettemen this essentially cooperative relationship
the two tasks supplement each other Both must be done
with equal skill, with full appreciation of the dependence
each has on the other
SO II we are to fulfill our mutual obligation to improve
e material status OF mankind both partners accept
their respective responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm
mat is the only formula for success
There Is, However overriding requirement that per-
maps is seleydent 1t is essential that our political environ
ment be congenal to the operation of our mutual Under
taxing in word that continue in society Free
uom OF thought of action of expression is essential if basic
knowledge to be converted goods for the benefit of
mankind"
Millions of Negro youth should be induced to volunar-
hy join the army of those who do research for better WAYS
OF meeting manknds basic need in promugaing progress
in the humanties and in spiritual development