Inventive genius in a three-piece suit

摘要

Remember when inventors were seen as solitary crackpots, oblivious of time, food, or surroundings, who worked in cluttered laboratories and shouted "Eureka!" whenever they discovered something new? Some basement-dwelling gadgeteers still exist, but modern-day inventors are far different from this cartoon stereotype. Today's inventors work in elaborately equipped laboratories maintained at high cost by our government, our universities, and our private industries. They are far from lonely because most of them work in teams. They are captive inventors, but they are well paid for their captivity. They favor natural-shouldered suits, haute cuisine, sports cars, and lovely homes in the suburbs.