Changes

== Publication ==

== Publication ==

Of Dr. Ferris' publication credits as a biologist, the novel says nothing. Dr. Ferris had one definite publication credit in the course of the novel: a [[textbook]] titled ''Why Do You Think You Think?'', published in May of 2018. In it, Ferris developed a theory that every thought in a man's head was an accident of neurochemistry, and that no man's thoughts were any more special than those of any other man. Robert Stadler described the work as "a piece of indecency" and compared it to the rantings of "a drunken lout." This criticism, however, did not faze Ferris in the least, for he knew that Robert Stadler could do nothing either to censure Ferris or to halt or even materially affect the book's publication or distribution.

Of Dr. Ferris' publication credits as a biologist, the novel says nothing. Dr. Ferris had one definite publication credit in the course of the novel: a [[textbook]] titled ''Why Do You Think You Think?'', published in May 2018. In it, Ferris developed a theory that every thought in a man's head was an accident of neurochemistry, and that no man's thoughts were any more special than those of any other man. Robert Stadler described the work as "a piece of indecency" and compared it to the rantings of "a drunken lout." This criticism, however, did not faze Ferris in the least, for he knew that Robert Stadler could do nothing either to censure Ferris or to halt or even materially affect the book's publication or distribution.

In addition, Dr. Ferris might, or might not, have been the author of the original critical report on [[Henry Rearden#Rearden Metal|Rearden Metal]] that provoked such a controversy before the opening of the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]'s "John Galt Line."

In addition, Dr. Ferris might, or might not, have been the author of the original critical report on [[Henry Rearden#Rearden Metal|Rearden Metal]] that provoked such a controversy before the opening of the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]'s "John Galt Line."

At about the time of the lighting of [[Ellis Wyatt]]'s infamous Torch in the mountains of [[Colorado]], Ferris organized what would be remembered as his most infamous project: [[Project X]]. The X stood for [[Xylophone]], and the project was, in essence, a [[weapon of mass destruction]] that used ultrasonic [[sound]] to pulverize any target within a range of more than a hundred [[mile]]s.

At about the time of the lighting of [[Ellis Wyatt]]'s infamous Torch in the mountains of [[Colorado]], Ferris organized what would be remembered as his most infamous project: [[Project X]]. The X stood for [[Xylophone]], and the project was, in essence, a [[weapon of mass destruction]] that used ultrasonic [[sound]] to pulverize any target within a range of more than a hundred [[mile]]s.

In June of 2018, Dr. Ferris sought to obtain ten thousand tons of Rearden Metal to give the Xylophone the greatest range possible. But [[Henry Rearden]] refused to sell to the Institute, "for any purpose whatever, good or bad, secret or open." Ferris might have supposed that Rearden bore a grudge against the Institute for its handling of the Rearden Metal controversy, but in that Ferris was vastly mistaken, though he would probably never realize it: in truth, Henry Rearden had begun to believe that the government had no business running anything remotely similar to the State Science Institute.

In June 2018, Dr. Ferris sought to obtain ten thousand tons of Rearden Metal to give the Xylophone the greatest range possible. But [[Henry Rearden]] refused to sell to the Institute, "for any purpose whatever, good or bad, secret or open." Ferris might have supposed that Rearden bore a grudge against the Institute for its handling of the Rearden Metal controversy, but in that Ferris was vastly mistaken, though he would probably never realize it: in truth, Henry Rearden had begun to believe that the government had no business running anything remotely similar to the State Science Institute.

When Rearden and [[coal]] mining magnate [[Ken Dannager]] concluded a business transaction that was contrary to the Fair Share Act and other related laws and directives, Ferris went to see Rearden and told him bluntly that if he didn't sell the Metal to the Institute, he would face arrest, trial, and possible imprisonment for the illicit transaction. Rearden still refused, and in due course, he and Dannager were both indicted.

When Rearden and [[coal]] mining magnate [[Ken Dannager]] concluded a business transaction that was contrary to the Fair Share Act and other related laws and directives, Ferris went to see Rearden and told him bluntly that if he didn't sell the Metal to the Institute, he would face arrest, trial, and possible imprisonment for the illicit transaction. Rearden still refused, and in due course, he and Dannager were both indicted.

== Directive 10-289 ==

== Directive 10-289 ==

In April of 2019, [[Mr. Thompson]], Head of State under the new [[Constitution]], personally authorized [[Wesley Mouch]], Senior Coordinator of the Bureau of Economic Planning and Natural Resources, to promulgate [[Directive 10-289]]. This was an effort to freeze all economic inputs and outputs at present levels, to stop the economy from deteriorating any further.

In April 2019, [[Mr. Thompson]], Head of State under the new [[Constitution]], personally authorized [[Wesley Mouch]], Senior Coordinator of the Bureau of Economic Planning and Natural Resources, to promulgate [[Directive 10-289]]. This was an effort to freeze all economic inputs and outputs at present levels, to stop the economy from deteriorating any further.

Point Four of this Directive included the shutdown of the [[Register of Copyrights]] and the [[United States Patent Office]]. [[James Taggart]], one of several men present at the final planning meeting, pointed out that all private research institutions would have to close. Wesley Mouch asked Ferris whether he would be able to take on at least some of the students who would be effective, and he answered, with relish, {{cquote|Some—those who prove co-operative.}}

Point Four of this Directive included the shutdown of the [[Register of Copyrights]] and the [[United States Patent Office]]. [[James Taggart]], one of several men present at the final planning meeting, pointed out that all private research institutions would have to close. Wesley Mouch asked Ferris whether he would be able to take on at least some of the students who would be effective, and he answered, with relish, {{cquote|Some—those who prove co-operative.}}

Point Three was a provision by which the inventors of any major discoveries would each sign a "gift certificate" placing his invention into the [[public domain]]. Dr. Ferris warned everyone present that a certain type of man, whom he called "the guiltless man," would never cooperate. But James Taggart said, "Are you talking about Hank Rearden? Don't worry. He'll sign." Ferris would later hear directly from Mouch what James Taggart had had to share: that Henry Rearden and [[Dagny Taggart]] were having an illicit affair, and had been having this affair since the opening of the John Galt Line.

Point Three was a provision by which the inventors of any major discoveries would each sign a "gift certificate" placing his invention into the [[public domain]]. Dr. Ferris warned everyone present that a certain type of man, whom he called "the guiltless man," would never cooperate. But James Taggart said, "Are you talking about Hank Rearden? Don't worry. He'll sign." Ferris would later hear directly from Mouch what James Taggart had had to share: that Henry Rearden and [[Dagny Taggart]] were having an illicit affair, and had been having this affair since the opening of the John Galt Line.

Accordingly, in May of 2019, Ferris confronted Rearden in his office with hard, written evidence of the affair, in the form of records of [[hotel]] stays in and near Starnesville and Rome, [[Wisconsin]], that occurred shortly after the John Galt Line had opened. As Taggart and Mouch had confidently predicted, Henry Rearden signed the "gift certificate" and surrendered the rights to his Metal.

Accordingly, in May 2019, Ferris confronted Rearden in his office with hard, written evidence of the affair, in the form of records of [[hotel]] stays in and near Starnesville and Rome, [[Wisconsin]], that occurred shortly after the John Galt Line had opened. As Taggart and Mouch had confidently predicted, Henry Rearden signed the "gift certificate" and surrendered the rights to his Metal.

If Ferris tried again to get a supply of Rearden Metal for Project X, the novel does not say. Orren Boyle ''did'' try to make Rearden Metal, now known as Miracle Metal, at his mills on the coast of [[Maine]]. But the notorious [[privateer]] [[Ragnar Danneskjöld]] destroyed those mills. Neither Boyle nor anyone other than Rearden would try to make Rearden Metal ever again.

If Ferris tried again to get a supply of Rearden Metal for Project X, the novel does not say. Orren Boyle ''did'' try to make Rearden Metal, now known as Miracle Metal, at his mills on the coast of [[Maine]]. But the notorious [[privateer]] [[Ragnar Danneskjöld]] destroyed those mills. Neither Boyle nor anyone other than Rearden would try to make Rearden Metal ever again.

== Henry Rearden's disappearance ==

== Henry Rearden's disappearance ==

In October of 2019, the government prepared to promulgate the Steel Unification Plan, along the lines of the earlier Railroad Unification Plan. This time the government took no chances; they knew that only a tremendous threat would persuade Rearden to sign on. To that end the Unification Board set up a very elaborate ruse to make Rearden think that labor violence was about to break out in his mills. Then on October 31, the [[Internal Revenue Service]] entered a lien on all of Rearden's assets, to satisfy a nonexistent [[income tax]] obligation.

In October 2019, the government prepared to promulgate the Steel Unification Plan, along the lines of the earlier Railroad Unification Plan. This time the government took no chances; they knew that only a tremendous threat would persuade Rearden to sign on. To that end the Unification Board set up a very elaborate ruse to make Rearden think that labor violence was about to break out in his mills. Then on October 31, the [[Internal Revenue Service]] entered a lien on all of Rearden's assets, to satisfy a nonexistent [[income tax]] obligation.

Floyd Ferris, Wesley Mouch, James Taggart, Tinky Holloway, and Eugene Lawson all invited Henry Rearden to a meeting to "straighten out" the tax situation. Rearden agreed to meet them at the Wayne-Falkland Hotel in [[New York City]].

Floyd Ferris, Wesley Mouch, James Taggart, Tinky Holloway, and Eugene Lawson all invited Henry Rearden to a meeting to "straighten out" the tax situation. Rearden agreed to meet them at the Wayne-Falkland Hotel in [[New York City]].