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== Back story ==

== Back story ==

The novel tells nothing of Robert Stadler's childhood, adolescence, or [[education]]. It says only that he was professor and chairman of physics at the Patrick Henry University (not to be confused with the real-life [[Patrick Henry College]]). In his last years at that institution, he had three extraordinary students who he was never to forget. They majored in physics and in [[philosophy]], a demanding double major and a highly unusual choice.

The novel tells nothing of Robert Stadler's childhood, adolescence, or [[education]]. It says only that he was professor and chairman of physics at the Patrick Henry University (not to be confused with the real-life [[Patrick Henry College]]), which was located in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]]. In his last years at that institution, he had three extraordinary students who he was never to forget. They majored in physics and in [[philosophy]], a demanding double major and a highly unusual choice.

As the three students explained it to him (and to [[Hugh Akston]], chairman of the [[philosophy]] department), physics was the study of the natural world (from the [[Greek]] ''physis'', literally "nature"), and philosophy was the proper study of how to approach that world. The three would very often spend hours at a time, after teaching hours, with Dr. Stadler and/or Dr. Akston, discussing some arcane point of their respective disciplines.

As the three students explained it to him (and to [[Hugh Akston]], chairman of the [[philosophy]] department), physics was the study of the natural world (from the [[Greek]] ''physis'', literally "nature"), and philosophy was the proper study of how to approach that world. The three would very often spend hours at a time, after teaching hours, with Dr. Stadler and/or Dr. Akston, discussing some arcane point of their respective disciplines.

It was the most rewarding experience that Robert Stadler ever knew. He would later describe these three as "the kind of students a teacher prays for."

It was the most rewarding experience that Robert Stadler ever knew. He would later describe these three as "the kind of reward a teacher prays for."

Those three students were, of course, [[Francisco d'Anconia]], [[Ragnar Danneskjold]], and [[John Galt]].

Those three students were, of course, [[Francisco d'Anconia]], [[Ragnar Danneskjold]], and [[John Galt]].

== The State Science Institute ==

== The State Science Institute ==

As those extraordinary three students prepared to graduate, the [[United States Congress]] began its debate on the establishment of a government-funded institute dedicated to the sciences. Dr. Stadler saw this as a unique opportunity. Like virtually anyone working in "pure" or "abstract" science (as distinct from [[engineering]], often called "applied" science), Dr. Stadler always felt limited in the amount of private grant moneys that he could attract. A stable source of grant money definitely had its appeal. Furthermore, an institution devoted to the pure sciences seemed to Stadler the most noble possible use of public money.

As those extraordinary three students prepared to graduate, the [[United States Congress]] began its debate on the establishment of a government-funded institute dedicated to the sciences. Dr. Stadler saw this as a unique opportunity. Like virtually anyone working in "pure" or "abstract" science (as distinct from [[engineering]], often called "applied" science), Dr. Stadler always felt limited in the amount of private grant moneys that he could attract. A stable source of grant money definitely had its appeal.

John Galt, however, was appalled. When Stadler endorsed the establishment of the future Institute, John Galt criticized him severely, and indicated that their friendship was at an end. Stadler was devastated at losing John Galt's friendship, but still felt that he was right. (If Francisco d'Anconia or Ragnar Danneskjold said anything to him on the subject, they never discussed that with any other character, including Hugh Akston.)

Furthermore, an institution devoted to the pure sciences seemed to Stadler the most noble possible use of public money. But what drove Stadler even more than this consideration was his confirmed opinion that the "pure" sciences were "pure" precisely because they had no immediate commercial application, and that engineering was somehow "dirty" or at least mundane.

Later, Stadler would claim vindication of his stance, after hearing what became of two of his former students. Francisco d'Anconia became, to all appearances, a [[playboy]] and a subject of [[gossip]], chiefly about how many women he was intimate with. (He would have been surprised to learn that Francisco never was actually intimate with more than one woman in his entire life.) Ragnar Danneskjold became the notorious pirate who seized government relief cargoes bound for foreign countries. John Galt vanished completely, and now was the subject of a repeated question by laypeople: "Who is John Galt?"

 

Later, Stadler would claim vindication of his stance, after hearing what became of two of his former students. Francisco d'Anconia became, to all appearances, a [[playboy]] and a subject of [[gossip]], chiefly about how many women he was intimate with. (He would have been surprised to learn that Francisco never was actually intimate with more than one woman in his entire life.) Ragnar Danneskjold became the notorious [[pirate]] who seized government relief cargoes bound for foreign countries. John Galt vanished completely, and now was the subject of a repeated question by laypeople: "Who is John Galt?"

Robert Stadler never admitted to anyone that he could tell them who John Galt really was. If he connected the first instances of the repetition of that question with the accelerated breakdown of the American economy, he never told anyone. He once told [[Dagny Taggart]], when she came to see him, that he suspected that his third student (whose name he did not mention) might have become a "second assistant bookkeeper."

Robert Stadler never admitted to anyone that he could tell them who John Galt really was. If he connected the first instances of the repetition of that question with the accelerated breakdown of the American economy, he never told anyone. He once told [[Dagny Taggart]], when she came to see him, that he suspected that his third student (whose name he did not mention) might have become a "second assistant bookkeeper."

But of course, Robert Stadler knew better. But he would not have hard evidence that John Galt was anything more than a student who had called him a traitor to his own intellectual capacity until many years later.

But of course, Robert Stadler knew better. But he would not have hard evidence that John Galt was anything more than a student who had called him a traitor to his own intellectual capacity until many years later.

== The figurehead ==

== The figurehead ==

Two incidents, both connected with his job at the State Science Institute, made him realize that his post as Director was a sick joke. Though he had a budget for virtually any line of experimentation he wished to pursue, and was nominally in charge of the Institute's budget, he discovered that at least one project was unaccountable to him and even hidden from him, in the sense that he never once saw an itemized statement from the officer(s) in charge of that project or even any statement of what the project was about. That project was [[Project X]]. When he later asked [[Floyd Ferris]], his deputy director, about it, Ferris was evasive. Ferris said only that the letter ''X'' stood for ''Xylophone'' and that the project had to do with [[sound]].

Two incidents connected with his job at the State Science Institute, occurring following the collapse of the economy of [[Colorado]], made him realize that his post as Director was a sick joke. Though he had a budget for virtually any line of experimentation he wished to pursue, and was nominally in charge of the Institute's budget, he discovered that at least one project was unaccountable to him and even hidden from him, in the sense that he never once saw an itemized statement from the officer(s) in charge of that project or even any statement of what the project was about. That project was [[Project X]]. When he later asked Floyd Ferris about it, Ferris was evasive. Ferris said only that the letter ''X'' stood for ''Xylophone'' and that the project had to do with [[sound]].

Worse than that incident was Floyd Ferris' publication, through the State Science Institute Press, of a book of practical philosophy titled ''Why Do You Think You Think?'' In it, Ferris urged his readers to forget any notion that they were actually capable of independent thought, and learn to accept the pronouncements of those superior to them in their understanding of the physical or political world.

Worse than that incident was Floyd Ferris' publication, through the State Science Institute Press, of a book of practical philosophy titled ''Why Do You Think You Think?'' In it, Ferris urged his readers to forget any notion that they were actually capable of independent thought, and learn to accept the pronouncements of those superior to them in their understanding of the physical or political world.

== Project X demonstrated ==

== Project X demonstrated ==

In July of either 1929 or 1930 (the last year of the [[strike]] of the men of the mind), Dr. Stadler found himself at a remote location in [[Kansas]], ostensibly to attend a demonstration. But he had not even been told ''what'' would be demonstrated. His first clue came when a reporter asked him about his role in the recently completed "[[Project X]]." Immediately Stadler rushed to Floyd Ferris' side and demanded to know what Project X was all about. Ferris replied cryptically that he would find out soon enough.

In July of either 1929 or 1930 (the last year of the [[strike]] of the men of the mind), Dr. Stadler found himself at a remote location in [[Iowa]], ostensibly to attend a demonstration. But he had not even been told ''what'' would be demonstrated. His first clue came when a reporter asked him about his role in the recently completed "[[Project X]]." Immediately Stadler rushed to Floyd Ferris' side and demanded to know what Project X was all about. Ferris replied cryptically that he would find out soon enough.

And find out he did. [[Mr. Thompson]], the [[President of the United States]], was also at the demonstration, as were several other senior Administration officials and Members of Congress. They made the first speeches, and announced the completion of a new device that they called the "Thompson Harmonizer," named after the President.

And find out he did. [[Mr. Thompson]], the [[President of the United States]], was also at the demonstration, as were several other senior Administration officials and Members of Congress. They made the first speeches, and announced the completion of a new device that they called the "Thompson Harmonizer," named after the President.

On November 22 in the last year of his life, Robert Stadler found himself at [[Madison Square Garden]] to attend a live broadcast, on [[radio]] and on the still-new medium of [[television]], of a speech to the nation that Mr. Thompson had scheduled. But at five minutes to the scheduled airtime (8:00 p.m.), the technicians announced that all the radio and television stations were jammed. Mr. Thompson and several other officials started threatening mass firings if the problem was not corrected, all to no avail. Then, abruptly, a man's voice began to speak:{{cquote|Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Thompson will not be speaking to you tonight. His time is up. I have taken it over. You were to hear a report on the world crisis. That is exactly what you are going to hear. For twelve years you have been asking, "Who is John Galt." This is John Galt speaking...}}

On November 22 in the last year of his life, Robert Stadler found himself at [[Madison Square Garden]] to attend a live broadcast, on [[radio]] and on the still-new medium of [[television]], of a speech to the nation that Mr. Thompson had scheduled. But at five minutes to the scheduled airtime (8:00 p.m.), the technicians announced that all the radio and television stations were jammed. Mr. Thompson and several other officials started threatening mass firings if the problem was not corrected, all to no avail. Then, abruptly, a man's voice began to speak:{{cquote|Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Thompson will not be speaking to you tonight. His time is up. I have taken it over. You were to hear a report on the world crisis. That is exactly what you are going to hear. For twelve years you have been asking, "Who is John Galt." This is John Galt speaking...}}

Robert Stadler gasped in horror as he recognized that voice: it was the voice of his third student. And even if Stadler had not been able to make the instant intuitive leap of realization that this same John Galt was responsible for the disappearances of men of the mind, and the overall breakdown of the national economy, John Galt fairly ''boasted'' of playing exactly that role, and gave his reasons for so acting, for the next three hours.

Robert Stadler gasped in horror as he recognized that voice: it was the voice of his third student. And even if Stadler had not been able to make the instant intuitive leap of realization that this same John Galt was responsible for the disappearances of men of the mind, and the overall breakdown of the national economy, John Galt fairly ''boasted'' of playing exactly that role, and gave his reasons for so acting, for the next three hours. He also boasted that he had invented an electrostatic motor, and perhaps then Stadler realized that this could only have been the prototype that Dagny Taggart had asked him about.

When John Galt had finished speaking, [[Dagny Taggart]] raised her voice, telling the assembled officials to "give up and get out of the way" and "leave men free to exist." Stadler knew then that Dagny Taggart was actively in league with John Galt. He also was very much afraid of the fate that John Galt had in store for him and for the government he served, though he had long since allowed his ability to think that problem through to atrophy from disuse.

When John Galt had finished speaking, [[Dagny Taggart]] raised her voice, telling the assembled officials to "give up and get out of the way" and "leave men free to exist." Stadler knew then that Dagny Taggart was actively in league with John Galt. He also was very much afraid of the fate that John Galt had in store for him and for the government he served, though he had long since allowed his ability to think that problem through to atrophy from disuse.

So instead of delivering a thoughtful reply, he cried out, "Don't listen to her!"

So instead of delivering a thoughtful reply, he cried out, "Don't listen to her!"

Dagny Taggart repeated her admonition and left the Garden. Stadler then turned to President Thompson and actually called him a "bloody fool," saying that Dagny Taggart was manifestly guilty of treason. The President did not order her arrest, but he ''did'' order her placed under covert surveillance.

Dagny Taggart repeated her admonition and left the Garden. Stadler then turned to President Thompson and actually called him a "bloody fool," saying that John Galt was manifestly guilty of treason, and that Dagny Taggart was in league with him. Stadler spoke bluntly: John Galt needed to be taken and executed.

 

The President ordered that Dagny Taggart be placed under covert surveillance. But he would not accede to any order for Galt's execution. The President actually thought that he could negotiate a deal with John Galt and induce him to "sell out" those who had followed him on his strike of the men of the mind, as he had called it. Stadler knew better: that not only would John Galt never sell anyone out, but also—and more direly—John Galt was their implacable enemy.

== Stadler v. Galt ==

== Stadler v. Galt ==

Not long after that, the authorities were indeed able to capture John Galt. Dagny Taggart was involved in that capture, and was widely quoted as saying that she had assisted in his capture because he was inevitably out to destroy her [[railroad]] (the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]) and would do so unless she acted to stop him forcibly. But one may safely infer that Robert Stadler did not believe a word she said, and considered John Galt far more dangerous than anyone was willing to admit.

Not long after that, the authorities were indeed able to capture John Galt. Dagny Taggart was involved in that capture, and was widely quoted as saying that she had assisted in his capture because he was inevitably out to destroy her [[railroad]] (the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]) and would do so unless she acted to stop him forcibly. But one may safely infer that Robert Stadler did not believe a word she said, and considered John Galt far more dangerous than anyone was willing to admit.

And so he was surprised, and even terrified, to receive a summons from the President to New York's Wayne-Falkland Hotel, where John Galt was being held in the penthouse suite. Mr. Thompson actually said that John Galt wished to see Stadler.

And so he was surprised, and even terrified, to receive a summons from the President to New York's Wayne-Falkland Hotel, where John Galt was being held in the penthouse suite. Mr. Thompson said that John Galt had actually told him that he wished to see Stadler.

When Stadler was ushered in to the penthouse suite, he saw John Galt sitting casually on the sill of one of the windows. John Galt said nothing; he simply looked at Stadler. And then Stadler, unable to contain himself, began to talk, or rather, to babble disconnectedly. He talked about wanting and needing a laboratory, he talked about who it actually was who set the rules of the games of life and politics, and he said a great deal about "living and working in the real world." And as he talked, he realized instinctively that he was making no impression on Galt, except to make Galt more implacably cold toward him than ever.

When Stadler was ushered in to the penthouse suite, he saw John Galt sitting casually on the sill of one of the windows. John Galt said nothing; he simply looked at Stadler. And then Stadler, unable to contain himself, began to talk, or rather, to babble disconnectedly. He talked about wanting and needing a laboratory, he talked about who it actually was who set the rules of the games of life and politics, and he said a great deal about "living and working in the real world." And as he talked, he realized instinctively that he was making no impression on Galt, except to make Galt more implacably cold toward him than ever.

== Death ==

== Death ==

Robert Stadler did not wait to see what the authorities would do next. He jumped into his [[automobile]] and drove across country, toward Kansas and the site of Project X. As he drove, he heard that the authorities had managed to negotiate with Galt, and that those negotiations had produced "The John Galt Plan," which they would announce at an upcoming broadcast from the grand ballroom of the Wayne-Falkland. Stadler tuned this program in, but even before John Galt said, "Get...out of my way," and the broadcast was cut off, Stadler knew how it would end.

Robert Stadler did not wait to see what the authorities would do next. He jumped into his [[automobile]] and drove across country, toward Iowa and the site of Project X. As he drove, he heard that the authorities had managed to negotiate with Galt, and that those negotiations had produced "The John Galt Plan," which they would announce at an upcoming broadcast from the grand ballroom of the Wayne-Falkland. Stadler tuned this program in, but even before John Galt said, "Get...out of my way," and the broadcast was cut off, Stadler knew how it would end.

Stadler drove on, muttering to himself, "I'll show them. I'll show them." His intention was to seize control of Project X and rule the area of its influence as his private feudal domain. He had no plan in mind of how to make this happen, other than to walk onto the project campus, drop his name, and start barking out orders.

Stadler drove on, muttering to himself, "I'll show them. I'll show them." His intention was to seize control of Project X and rule the area of its influence as his private feudal domain. He had no plan in mind of how to make this happen, other than to walk onto the project campus, drop his name, and start barking out orders.

We see this in the [[United States]] today, whenever [[Barack Obama]] speaks of "putting science back in its rightful place" by providing unlimited and unrestricted federal funds for [[embryonic stem cell]] research, for example. But Ayn Rand had a more dire fear: that science in the hands of the government could and probably would inevitably find itself used in the service of tyranny, and the creation of weapons of mass destruction.

We see this in the [[United States]] today, whenever [[Barack Obama]] speaks of "putting science back in its rightful place" by providing unlimited and unrestricted federal funds for [[embryonic stem cell]] research, for example. But Ayn Rand had a more dire fear: that science in the hands of the government could and probably would inevitably find itself used in the service of tyranny, and the creation of weapons of mass destruction.

In addition, Ayn Rand saw the apparent dichotomy between "pure" and "applied" science as a false one, and suggested that if any principle of science could be valuable to man, then some ''private'' individual or group would be willing to fund it. Robert Stadler is a type of any scientist who fails to realize that, who thinks that private funding is somehow dishonorable merely because it ''is'' private, and who forgets that public funding can often lead to the creation of instruments of tyranny and death, because after all, the government is that institution having a monopoly on the initiation of force.

In addition, Ayn Rand saw the apparent dichotomy between "pure" and "applied" science as a false one, and suggested that if any principle of science could be valuable to man, then some ''private'' individual or group would be willing to fund it. Robert Stadler is a type of any scientist who fails to realize that, who thinks that private funding is somehow dishonorable merely because it ''is'' private, and furthermore, that applied science is somehow dishonorable because it ''is'' applied to the problems that real human beings deal with every day. Such a person very often forgets that public funding can often lead to the creation of instruments of tyranny and death, because after all, the government is that institution having a monopoly on the initiation of force.

Ayn Rand also made a minor point, and a scathing one, against scientists who try to get their way through name-dropping. In virtually any Western country, untold numbers of scientific institutions, and especially [[hospital]]s and various lecture and [[laboratory]] halls in medical schools, often sell or offer to a "prominent" physician or a member of the "generous community" the privilege of having his or her name on a building wing and his or her portrait in oil in the hallway. Indeed, many such institutions build veritable [[shrine]]s to such people. While some of these people deserve some recognition for some extraordinary service, or even for years of service, other such people win this recognition merely by paying for it. Ayn Rand perhaps sought to illustrate what would happen when an institution, ostensibly dedicated to science, might be taken over by a group of people who would ''not'' respect the owner of that name. In such a situation, all the name-dropping that the person could do would avail him nothing.

Ayn Rand also made a minor point, and a scathing one, against scientists who try to get their way through name-dropping. In virtually any Western country, untold numbers of scientific institutions, and especially [[hospital]]s and various lecture and [[laboratory]] halls in medical schools, often sell or offer to a "prominent" physician or a member of the "generous community" the privilege of having his or her name on a building wing and his or her portrait in oil in the hallway. Indeed, many such institutions build veritable [[shrine]]s to such people. While some of these people deserve some recognition for some extraordinary discovery (like the techniques of [[aorta|aortic]] [[aneurysm]]al repair and other even more breathtaking techniques of cardiovascular [[surgery]] developed by [[Michael E. DeBakey]]), or even for years of service, other such people win this recognition merely by paying for it. Ayn Rand perhaps sought to illustrate what would happen when an institution, ostensibly dedicated to science, might be taken over by a group of people who would ''not'' respect the owner of that name. In such a situation, all the name-dropping that the person could do would avail him nothing.

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[[Category:Literary Figures]]

[[Category:Literary Figures]]