Managing Research, Development, and Innovation: Managing the Unmanageable, Third Edition

15.3. BASIC RESEARCH: WHO NEEDS IT?

The conduct of basic research that does not have immediate commercial benefit raises questions such as "Who needs it?" and "Why do it?"

The genius of Vannevar Bush in articulating the importance of basic research over half a century ago, when it was an untested concept, is quite remarkable. In commenting (Bush, 1945, pp. vi, 1) on the importance of investment in basic research, which is responsible for scientific progress, he stated:

Scientific progress is one essential key to our security as a nation, to our better health, to more jobs, to a higher standard of living, and to our cultural progress.... Without scientific progress no amount of achievement in other directions can insure our health, prosperity, ...