Though Ethan couldn't quite fathom how California ended up with such quirky laws, his sister, Evelyn Johnson, provided him with a plausible solution on the way home.
While the United States might not have been founded solely on technology, it certainly thrived as a technological powerhouse.
During World War II, the scientific research bureau in Geneva played a significant role, reaping rich rewards for the United States. In 1944, sensing the charm of technological progress as WWII neared its end, the visionary minds in the U.S., led by Ethan's world-savvy ancestor, approached Dr. Geneva Bush for answers.
The first question posed was how to swiftly integrate wartime technology into civilian life while ensuring military security.
In response to this query, Dr. Geneva sought the opinions of other scientists and compiled a report titled "Science: The Endless Frontier." In it, he expressed the view that scientists should enjoy research freedom and have the right to decide the application of their inventions.
Leaning on the passenger seat, Evelyn remarked with a smile, "In Dr. Geneva's eyes, the personal freedom of technology developers should not be restricted. If they want to conduct research in universities, let them. If they want to join government departments, provide a convenient environment for them. At the same time, the developers have the right to decide whether their inventions should be kept confidential."
"Though challenging to implement in reality, California's enactment of laws based on this freedom mindset is quite understandable. After all, for California to thrive, it needs more technological achievements."
"Relying solely on agriculture and regular manufacturing, the economy here would only experience steady growth without any qualitative leaps."
Pausing, Evelyn added with a touch of self-deprecation, "Of course, until now, we don't really know what technology will bring because, in reality, only HP & Intel are well-known, right?"
"These companies have indeed brought some changes to California, but a qualitative leap... Honestly, we haven't seen it ourselves."
Ethan raised an eyebrow at his sister's words. He understood that the real qualitative leap for California would come with the widespread adoption of computers.
When computers entered households, the various tech talents in Silicon Valley truly found their place.
As he ensured safe driving, Ethan glanced at Evelyn. Her refined profile on the passenger seat made him smile. "The qualitative leap is coming soon because the key to opening that door is the 6502."
"Maybe people won't know your name, but those in the industry will remember your contribution."
"Because it was you who woke me up, prompting me to help Chuck Peddle and others with their legal issues."
"All those scientists who profited from it will thank you."
"Oh, Ethan," Evelyn laughed affectionately, "your words are too cheesy."
She turned to look at her brother, who had been admiring the scenery, and said, "Why do you describe yourself like a villain?"
"No choice. It's to support your greatness," Ethan teased. "Behind every successful superhero, there's a villain trying to destroy the world. If that villain happens to be the superhero's family, then the superhero is even greater because they prioritize justice over family loyalty."
"Haha," Evelyn burst into laughter at Ethan's remark.
Her right hand continued to tap on the car door. After a while, she regained her composure.
To prevent his sister from getting too dizzy with happiness, Ethan swiftly changed the topic.
"Alright, no more jokes, Evelyn. I want to know why California thinks this way. Why do they believe they will lead the technological revolution? Do other states not have similar ideas?"
Indeed, this was the peculiar aspect that puzzled Ethan.
If Stanford's rise and the birth of Silicon Valley were due to Stanford embracing Fred Terman, then what about California? As an area with legislative autonomy, why were they so confident in becoming the world's next hub?
If the laws were modified based on developmental results, Ethan could understand. But now...
Laws promoting communication were already in place!
This foresight was just too outrageous!
Evelyn, in response to Ethan's question, stretched and said, "Ethan, of course, other states have similar ideas, but Dr. Geneva's students are limited."
"Every university wants to hire its students for research, but only Stanford dares to guarantee that they can hire Fred Terman to teach. Fred Terman's father, Lewis Terman, was a professor at Stanford."
"WTF?!" Ethan suspected his ears were malfunctioning.
The most legendary president in Stanford's history was nurtured by Stanford itself?
Damn!
What kind of luck was this?
Not even winning the lottery would be this lucky!
Evelyn's revelation made Ethan laugh. "Surprised, aren't you?"
"In fact, when I first came to Stanford, I was also surprised."
"Our teachers directly told us that our School of Engineering is the most transcendent at Stanford."
"Not just because HP emerged from here, but also because President Fred Terman would never leave Stanford."
"Some media outside say that it was an accident for President Fred Terman to teach at Stanford because after graduating, he received an offer from MIT. It was only because he contracted tuberculosis during a visit to his father that he stayed at Stanford."
"But in reality..."
"As far as we know, before he came back, Stanford, under the guidance of Dr. Geneva, had already prepared a professorship in radio engineering for him and appointed him as the director of the Electronics and Communications Laboratory."
"Do you think other schools didn't want to poach him?"
"No..."
"They just couldn't."
"More importantly, when President Fred took over as director, he was only twenty-five."
At this point, Evelyn stared directly at Ethan.
Feeling the intense gaze, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror.
When Evelyn noticed this, she smirked and said, "So, now you know why California believes it can lead the technological revolution? Because Stanford University gave them hope."
"And reality has proven everyone's predictions correct."
"Because even before Dr. Geneva proposed 'The Endless Frontier,' President Fred Terman had learned of his intention to vigorously promote the development of scientific research in universities."
"He informed Stanford about it, and when 'The Endless Frontier' report came out, Fred Terman was promoted to vice president. Subsequently, he, under this guise, communicated with scientists from the wartime research bureau."
"At that time, he was at Harvard, and under Dr. Geneva's leadership, he was in charge of a research project with over eight hundred people. When he told those scientists that the war was ending, Stanford wanted them to do research..."
"How do you think those scientists felt? Many of them thought that President Fred was conveying Dr. Geneva's will, and many who wanted to follow Dr. Geneva came to Stanford."
"Then, the following year, the Stanford Research Institute was established."
'...'
Well!
Evelyn's storytelling left Ethan in awe.
If the lenient environment in California was created by the influx of post-war scientists, then the bizarre legal provisions made sense.
After all, these laws protected California's largest economic source—the interests of scientists who had proven themselves in war!
They were the foundation of America's success!
When these people couldn't control their inventions, where would the drive for research come from?
So, how could patenting one's own creation be called plagiarism? It was merely a reexamination of past research achievements!
As for those holding patent rights?
Without the patents developed by scientists, how could capitalists profit from them?
TL Note:
Lewis Terman, Fred Terman's father, was famous. He conducted the longest-running longitudinal study in the history of psychology, the 'Genetic Studies of Genius,' and standardized the 'Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales,' used in IQ testing.
The story of Fred Terman recruiting scientists for Stanford is interesting. He poached talent from Harvard, telling them that coming to Stanford would offer better treatment. If he hadn't been kicked out of Geneva's student circle, he would have done so even earlier.
The Stanford Research Institute has been in planning since 1920. In 1945, Lockheed attempted to establish it with the support of the Illinois Institute of Technology, but it didn't succeed. The third attempt, led by Fred Terman, succeeded due to his natural advantage with Geneva Bush's support. The Bay Area's ambition for technology didn't happen overnight; it took over twenty years. Of course, nobody expected it would cling to such a big thigh in the end.