Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 27: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TRADE SECRET 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 lab- oratory to design the exact means, but that is only a matter of detail. “IT am not an engineer, Dr. Good- man, 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 en- gineer—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 com- pletely 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 blessing 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! “I cannot reveal to you these basic Laws of Nature which I have dis- covered without forfeiting all claim to financial benefit from my work!” Dr. Goodman made a noise as if appalled by some enormous sacrilege. “Of course you can’t patent a Law of Nature! It’s unthinkable! That’s some- 25 thing that’ s just there—for everybody to use.’ “Fine. Let them use it then.” It had grown quite dark but they had not turned on the lights. The only illumination came from the glow over the city. From the darkness by the window they heard a low chuckle and Jennings said, “If we understand your Volcano properly, what you are saying is equivalent to saying that you would like to patent the atom.” “Yes, you might put it that way,” Mart agreed reflectively. “I wish to take out a patent on the atom.” “You’re making fun of us,” said Goodman stiffly. ““At the moment it seems to be in particularly poor taste. The Government is most certainly in need of your work. I am sure there would be no question of proper remuneration.” “You are, huh? A lab and two assistants and seventy-two hundred a year. I made almost a hundred thousand on the Nagle Rocket alone.” Mart turned and paced halfway across the room in a motion of sudden irritation. In the dim light he faced the AEC scientist directly. ‘Dr. Goodman, you have been the first to have the honor of understand- ing the Volcano symbology, but you seem to have great difficulty in under- standing what I have said. I want you to understand it. I want you to carry it back to the Commission’s laboratories. Whenever my name comes up among your fellow workers. I want you to get this straight and report it correctly: Martin Nagle has discovered some of the most important and basic Laws of Nature that we can presently conceive. “They are of immense importance to Government, industry, and the military, but unless Martin Nagle can obtain a patent on his work and get proper remuneration for it, he is going Conmie ooolks.<@ im