Government Funding: The Unsung Hero of Technological Advancements

The way we perceive government involvement in various sectors is often skewed by our terminology. In Canada, we proudly claim public health care as one of our most beloved institutions, yet walk through a hospital and you'll find big companies like Pfizer and Merck selling drugs to the system.

This mix-up has its roots in history. Back in 1945, scientist Vannevar Bush advised President Roosevelt that government funding was crucial for scientific research, as private companies couldn't afford to wait decades for results to pay off.

The US government took this advice to heart, pouring money into universities and labs, which eventually led to breakthroughs like the internet, GPS, and vaccine technology. Today, the federal government funds over half of $108 billion worth of research done by US universities annually.

A similar system exists in China, where they combine five-year plans with public funding for science and let private companies take it from there. This approach has yielded impressive results, including electric cars and high-speed rail. The Chinese have successfully connected the dots between government support and technological advancements.