2oldman wrote:
ktmrfs wrote:
MANY MANY things one takes for granted today started with massive gov't subsidies. The IC industry is an example, many of the IC's and process development was funded either directly or through military contracts, and we all benefit.
I've understood the space program to be a driving force behind miniaturizing circuits, eventually leading to the computers we have today.
space program was another major driver, but even before that the military complex was funneling huge amounts of money into stuff to replace tubes and new electronics as well as indirectly supporting the test equipment mfg through large purchases of test equipment.
The company I worked for had multiple developments for which the military or space program bought devices from us, no info on what they would be used for etc. However when certain things happened in the space military program and suddenly orders stopped and when stuff was back working, orders rolled in.