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'''Floyd Ferris, PhD''', in [[Ayn Rand]]'s [[novel]] ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', was the Associate Director of the [[State Science Institute]]. That is, he was ''nominally'' the Associate Director, but in fact was the real head of the Institute, because the actual head, [[Robert Stadler]], was a totally naïve, politically clueless researcher. He built on Stadler's work on the physics of sound and supervised the construction of a [[weapon of mass destruction]], known most widely as [[Project X]] (X for Xylophone). He also developed a project for the harsh interrogation of a suspect, using electric shock. Ultimately, his plans, like the economy of the [[United States]], came to nothing, though the novel does not describe his ultimate fate.

'''Floyd Ferris, PhD''', in [[Ayn Rand]]'s [[novel]] ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', was the Associate Director and "Top Co-ordinator" of the [[State Science Institute]]. That is, he was ''nominally'' the Associate Director, but in fact was the real head of the Institute. The actual head, [[Robert Stadler]], was a totally naïve, politically clueless researcher. Ferris built on Stadler's work on the physics of sound and supervised the construction of a [[weapon of mass destruction]], known most widely as [[Project X]] (X for Xylophone). He also developed a project for the harsh interrogation of a suspect, using electric shock. Ultimately, his plans, like the economy of the [[United States]], came to nothing, though the novel does not describe his ultimate fate.

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== Background ==

== Background ==

The novel says nothing about Floyd Ferris' background. Where he obtained his various degrees, and how he came to [[Washington, DC]] to join the [[State Science Institute]], the novel does not say. We do learn that he was nominally its Associate Director and technically reported to [[Robert Stadler]], the titular director. But aside from drawing a smaller [[salary]] than did Dr. Stadler, Dr. Ferris held the actual power in the Institute, for a simple reason: he was a politician at heart, understood political power, and knew how to use it, which Robert Stadler did not.

The novel says nothing about Floyd Ferris' background, other than that he was a biologist by training. Where he obtained his various degrees, and how he came to [[Washington, DC]] to join the [[State Science Institute]], the novel does not say. We do learn that he was nominally its Associate Director and senior "co-ordinator," and technically reported to [[Robert Stadler]], the titular director. But aside from drawing a smaller [[salary]] than did Dr. Stadler, Dr. Ferris held the actual power in the Institute, for a simple reason: he was a politician at heart, understood political power, and knew how to use it, which Robert Stadler did not.

== Publication ==

== Publication ==

Dr. Ferris had one definite publication credit: a [[textbook]] titled ''Why Do You Think You Think?''. 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 obscenity" 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?''. 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.

Dr. Ferris sought to obtain a large quantity 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.

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.