A good old story of "curiosity-driven" research

“…. the great Michael Faraday, one of the giants that helped shape our modern understanding of electricity and magnetism. He was asked by the British Chancellor (Gladstone at the time) about what was the use of this electricity he was working on. His reply was “I do not know sir, but I wager that one day you will put a tax on it”.

Taken from the accidental mathematician.

Genomicron is also wondering on what’s driving cuts to basic science?

See also our queries about the “Automotive Research Fund” announced by Minister Clement right after the recent cuts to the Tri-council and the NRC.

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