Creativity and Experimentation

This is exactly why creativity and experimentation are so vital.

And why we can't cut classes that feed them in k-12. Yes, this invention has been around decades without a specific use, but think of the billions now that will be generated. Take note Arnie Duncan and high stakes testing advocates - true results and impacts are immediately evident.

This reminds me of another example that Dr. Rochard Brodhead gave in a podcast where he attempted to answer the question, what are universities good for?

He talked of a professor who was fascinated by Middle Eastern religions, especially their extreme factions. Now, many would wonder, why study that? Where is the immediate payoff? Who really cares about those tiny little factions anyway?

Well, once 9/11 occurred, the government was beating down his door to help educate them on Al Quida and the Taliban.

What would have happened if we hadn't had that one person toiling away in obscurity? It's a good thing we did.

Just as it's a good thing we had the inventors of "Gorilla Glass" toiling away in obscurity. Until now.