“You will recall,” said Mart, “that each patent refers to a specific, unnamed Law of Nature upon which the device in question is based. In accord with the present Patent System that is as far as I can go. And we had plenty of trouble going that far — getting the Volcano in under the wire as an amusement device instead of an immoral gambling machine.”
“What do you mean, that’s as far as you can go? Where else do you want to go?”
“Where would you like me to go?”
Goodman became slightly redder in the face. “I would like you to enlighten us in our ignorance regarding the structure and internal processes of the radioactive atom — if you consider us capable of understanding it. I would like you to show how the methods of propulsion in your rocket toy may be adapted to full-scale aircraft. And the Teleport... it’s obvious what we would like you to do with that, if it’s possible.”
“It’s possible, I assure you,” said Mart. “Let me say that I don’t know exactly how — that would take a corps of engineers some little time and a fairly well equipped development laboratory to design the exact means, but that is only a matter of detail.
“I am not an engineer, Dr. Goodman, nor a gimmick maker — except temporarily. I am a theoretical researcher and desire to remain so. Unfortunately, however, I have to eat. So do my family.”
“I don’t see what that — Any good University —”
“It is commonly supposed that the theoretical researcher is much like the Artiste of old: far above working for mere dirty money. He’s supposed to work for Truth and Knowledge, while somebody else — the development engineer — makes the old filthy green stuff.”
“Dr. Nagle —”
“Now if I were to do what you ask, to broadcast the basic principles which I have discovered and employed in these devices, I would be completely out in the cold. I would get no protection or further remuneration whatever. As long as I remain a maker of trinkets and gimmicks I am entitled to the full protection and blessings of our Patent Laws. The moment I step into the field of new, basic science I have no protection whatever. I cannot even use my own work!