🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <65707@bbn.BBN.COM> cosell@bbn.com (Bernie Cosell) writes:
>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

His concerns were for the commonwealth, for the dissemination of knowledge,
for his community, and for the admiration of his peers.
Hard as it may be to believe, these concerns actually motivate some human
beings more than piling up money.