Scientific Research and Invention 127 
is so great that at this rate of gain it would take 
from five to six years to make the work practically 
current, or so that an applicant who is paying the 
fees for performing the work may obtain an official 
action with reasonable promptness.” In this report 
the Commissioner, Thomas E. Robertson, said: 
“Tt is a noteworthy fact that more patents have 
been granted during the last ten years than during 
the 100 years from President Washington's inaugu- 
ration in 1789 until President Harrison's inaugura- 
tion in 1889.” 
Daily News of Inventions 
Pick up the daily paper, and note the multiplying 
reports of new inventions and processes and business 
methods that are the outcome of scientific research. 
Almost every day's paper gives half a dozen new 
instances showing how inventions and the exploita- 
tion of them through the use of capital are affect- 
ing savings, producing short cuts and increased pro- 
ductivity. A cable despatch from Berlin tells of a 
new method of producing synthetic helium by which 
Germany may be freed from the United States, 
where the chief natural supply exists. The same 
despatch announces an interoceanic line of Zeppelins, 
which will require capital. The same paper tells of 
successful experiments in perfecting the seadrome; 
so that the model will be succeeded by a real sea- 
drome, weighing some 40,000 tons, to be towed out 
350 miles from shore and anchored. The account 
adds that it will cost $1,500,000,000. Money must