A photo from open sources
It is known that the development of science and technology at all times (We will not take the Middle Ages, although we invented something then) subject to the law of progress, that is, it moves only forward. New, more complex and advanced machines and households are being created. fixtures, discoveries are made. Back seemingly way no, after all, what you discovered once you won’t close again? And here are some thinks differently – those to whom this or that invention crosses the throat worth it, unprofitable or objectionable. They stop at nothing! Here are some of these “closers” we want you today to tell. Closing visit
Stanislav Lem has a humorous play, “Reception hours Professor Tarantoga. “This character of Lem is an outstanding scientist, on reception to him come for support a variety of peri-scientific eccentrics, and not only them. And so one of the visitors declares to the professor: “I am not an inventor or a discoverer. I am an anti-discoverer, in other words, a close. In-depth analysis of world history during its entirety led me to the conclusion that humanity is not no discovery is needed. On the contrary, it suffers from their excess. AND I decided to help humanity. How? By closing especially harmful discoveries. “A harmless literary joke? In this case Yes. But in the real history of mankind there were enough “closers”. And far from harmless jokers. First weapon selection World War. German scientists developed application methods liquid oxygen as explosives. But applying the results their work was extremely disadvantageous to the largest chemical concern “I. G. Farben”, producing explosives “traditional”. Success an oxygen program would put his profit at risk. What then what happened? Urgently gathered “Council of the Gods” (so ironically called the governing body of the concern). Without thinking twice, he accepted solution: to bribe some of the scientists involved in this program to inhibit research. Also bribe the press so that she printed only project failure messages. And as radical measures were supposed to hire saboteurs and destroy oxygen pipelines. Judging by the fact that the oxygen project is so and didn’t get out of the initial stage, the Council of the Gods tactics turned out to be successful. “Swedish match” (almost according to Chekhov) From time immemorial people fired fire, in essence, in the same way, with minor variations: flint, chair, one or another forerunner modern lighters. This method had many disadvantages, it very uncomfortable and bulky. And matches were invented. Where is it better? Fast, easy and convenient. But they also had a flaw, and a very serious. Each match can be ignited only once, after which it has to be thrown away. Okay, still in the city, where you can immediately buy another box. But, let’s say, in the expedition, in the field conditions? Remember the one and only match among the heroes of Jules Verne, caught on a desert island … So is it possible to get around this match defect? This was thought in 1928 by a German chemist Ferdinand Ringer. Thought and … invented a match that could be light up to 1000 times! The inventor set about releasing his offspring. But it was not there. On the path of Ringer’s undertaking stood Largest Swedish trust led by “King of matches” Iva-rum Krueger, the then world monopolist in this business. clear it was that such competition would ruin this Kruger clean! Kruger decided to buy Ringer’s invention, as they say, in the bud and “close” it. However, Ringer was not so simple. He rejected everything purchase offers, founded a factory and started production. Kruger became furious. At first he ordered to rob the inventor and steal a secret. It didn’t work out. Then a bribe of employees Ringer and even members of his family. Again past. Finally on the inventor was committed several assassination attempts in a row. Unable to stand pressure, Ringer gave up. His factory went dead and in 1937 ceased to exist. Well, what about the secret itself? Where “eternal” match now? Alas, no one knows this. Hardly It is profitable for interested companies today. Peep into the kitchen and shake a box of matches. How many times will each light up? Here so that. The collapse of Operation Monastral repeated, only this time the scene is America, and time – 1930s. American chemists have created a new substance that called the “monastral.” This semi-finished product was suitable for production the most various paints and varnishes. He was also almost perfect. tissue stain. Mona-stralle-dyed jeans were simply doomed to become trendy – strength, durability paint, reliability, beauty. But, as in the case of Ring-rum, monopolists intervened. This time – the DuPont concern, which produced traditional dyes. He did not exchange for trifles. Right away heavy artillery was launched. It was decided to hire performers for additives to market lots of monastra la substances that would spoil fabric whitening or heating. But also this “Dupont” it seemed a little. The second trick is to mix poisonous chemicals, irritating to the skin. That’s what the protocol literally said “historic” board meeting: “Caustic substances, resins and solvents corrode the skin and cause a rash. Would it is advisable to use such mixtures in combination with dye CPC (the official name for the monastral), tissues will irritate the skin. ” Many years have passed since that “legendary” time. And we still don’t wear beautiful and comfortable jeans and shirts, painted with a monastral … Gasoline scam during World War II Portuguese engineer Vincent Amat invented a plant for synthetic brown coal gasoline. Gasoline at first did not find demand – he was much more expensive than usual. But the war was coming to an end, and in conditions the resulting sharp crisis Amat’s synthetic gasoline has become the richest source of profit. The inventor himself got rich, but … not for long. The war is over. Two years have passed and the “closers” went on the attack. They ensured that Amat was brought to trial and put for “fraud”, “false invention” at 18 years. It’s just that the former companions of the engineer were eager to take possession of him a discovery only for himself … But Amat turned out to be, as they say, not timid dozen. He managed to find an approach to the director of the prison and with his using help (in the same place, in the dungeons!) built another installation for producing synthetic gasoline. More simple, primitive, but she worked! And soon Amat began to supply synthetic fuel other prisons. Here is an example of true enterprise and firmness. spirit worthy of imitation! The case, of course, revised. After Seven years in prison, the engineer was released. This time an invention “close” failed. There will be no disaster, but … It was, as they say, more flowers. And here is what happened at the beginning 1960s on the outskirts of Strasbourg called Königshofen, already and for the “closers”, perhaps, too much. But let’s talk about everything order. Two were arrested as a result of a police operation West German representatives of the French company Brunner and Confran Motor Oil. Accusations Sounded Menacingly – Industrial espionage, sabotage, attempted sabotage. Who were these people and why were they charged so seriously? The thing is, that at one of the company’s enterprises was designed an electric furnace, considered at that time the last word in technology, super novelty. This worried the West German very much. manufacturers of electric ovens that until then grief did not they knew. Well, they found out, but they didn’t lose heart. Actions were conducted without exaggeration, the military. Clogs were created the group with the task is to prevent the release of a new furnace at all costs. Having penetrated the enterprise, saboteurs (you can call them that) tried to steal blueprints, spoiled equipment, causing high Farben “defective percentage … But the results of this activity are all seemed to them somehow insignificant, not meeting the requirements tenants. Then two of this group are Franz Richter and Henry Koller – they decided no less … to blow up the plant along with everything the staff. Only heroic police efforts prevented monstrous crime. As reported in a police statement for press, in case of successful implementation of the plan of criminals under the factory and most Konigshofen. Never say never. As you can see, progress can be slowed down, and even very successfully. And no one vouch for the fact that this does not happen in our time. On the contrary there is plenty of evidence to the contrary – from seeking a cure against AIDS torpedoed by medical cards * receiving astronomical research subsidies, to environmentally friendly automobile engines disadvantageous to oil corporations. But this that’s another story. Andrey Bystrov “Secrets of the twentieth century” March 2013
War time
