🚀 go-pugleaf

wgh@ubbpc.Unisys.com (William G. Hutchison) writes:

}...  Governor Thomas was so pleased
}with the construction of this stove, as described in it, that he
}offered to give me a patent for the sole vending of them for a term
}of years; but I declined it from a principle which has ever weighhed
}with me on such occations, viz., \fIThat, as we enjoy great
}advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an
}opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we
}should do freely and generously\fR." 

}... as having no desire of profiting by patents
}myself, and hating disputes.  The use of these fireplaces in very
}many houses, both here in Pennsylvania and the neighboring states,
}has been, and is, a great savings of wood to the inhabitants."

}  Benjamin Franklin: his Autobiography; with a Narrative of His
}Public Life and Services (Chapter VIII), by Rev. H. Hastings Weld,
}New York, Derby & Jackson, 119 Nassau St., 1859.

Fine by me: let talented amateurs do all of the research and
development and give away the fruits of their labors.  I don't recall:
what was Franklin actually doing for a living at that time that allowed
him to have the spare time to do all of this 'dabbling', not to mention
purchasing all of the tools, equipment and raw materials?  Did he
expect the folks to whom he gave his designs, in turn, to give away the
items?  After all, his concern here was for the 'savings of wood', and
what better way to get even WIOER distribution of his stove than to
somehow force/convince the ironmongers to give stoves away at free (or
close-to), too.

  /Bernie\