Changes

== Three favorite students ==

== Three favorite students ==

In or about 1935, three men from widely divergent backgrounds enrolled at PHU and literally wandered into Akston's classroom while he was teaching a higher-level graduate course. One of the three asked a pointed question about [[Plato]]'s philosophy that amazed Akston. This young man, who was only sixteen years old, had grasped a key point that Plato himself had missed. Akston asked him to stay after class. He did, along with two other young men, all the same age. The three then announced their intention to pursue double majors in [[physics]] and [[philosophy]]. These three men were, of course, [[Francisco d'Anconia]], [[Ragnar Danneskjold]], and [[John Galt]].

In 1996, three men from widely divergent backgrounds enrolled at PHU and literally wandered into Akston's classroom while he was teaching a higher-level graduate course. One of the three asked a pointed question about [[Plato]]'s philosophy that amazed Akston. This young man, who was only sixteen years old, had grasped a key point that Plato himself had missed. Akston asked him to stay after class. He did, along with two other young men, all the same age. The three then announced their intention to pursue double majors in [[physics]] and [[philosophy]]. These three men were, of course, [[Francisco d'Anconia]], [[Ragnar Danneskjöld]], and [[John Galt]].

Dr. Akston would say later that the most remarkable thing about these men, apart from their decision to pursue such a demanding double major, was that they could form such a fast friendship despite the differences in their upbringing. Francisco d'Anconia was a descendant of the earliest [[Spain|Spanish]] noblemen of the old Spanish Empire in Latin America. Ragnar Danneskjold descended from an aristocratic family in [[Norway]]. John Galt was, as Akston would later describe him, {{cquote|the self-made man, self-made in every sense, who came to our university penniless, parentless, tie-less.}}

Dr. Akston would say later that the most remarkable thing about these men, apart from their decision to pursue such a demanding double major, was that they could form such a fast friendship despite the differences in their upbringing. Francisco d'Anconia was a descendant of the earliest [[Spain|Spanish]] noblemen of the old Spanish Empire in Latin America. Ragnar Danneskjöld descended from an aristocratic family in [[Norway]]. John Galt was, as Akston would later describe him, {{cquote|the self-made man, self-made in every sense, who came to our university penniless, parentless, tie-less.}}

Their love of reason united them, though each man also had a particular love that distinguished him from the other two. Francisco d'Anconia loved the earth and the things in it; Ragnar Danneskjold loved justice; and John Galt was the practical man, eager to see how things worked and figure out how to make them work better.

Their love of reason united them, though each man also had a particular love that distinguished him from the other two. Francisco d'Anconia loved the earth and the things in it; Ragnar Danneskjöld loved justice; and John Galt was the practical man, eager to see how things worked and figure out how to make them work better.

Shortly before their graduation, Hugh Akston's counterpart in the Physics department, [[Robert Stadler]], made the fateful decision to endorse the establishment of what became the [[State Science Institute]]. Hugh Akston felt only pity for his friend and colleague. As nearly as he could tell, Robert Stadler believed that mind and body were somehow split, and that the purest exercise of the mind must divorce itself from "mere" practical application, on grounds that Stadler never specified and Akston never understood. John Galt was bitterly disappointed in Stadler, and let him know that in no uncertain terms.

When the three graduated, each went his separate way. Francisco went off to take various subordinate positions in his family's business; he inherited D'Anconia Copper SA in three years. John Galt enrolled in the graduate school and, under the advice of Dr. [[Robert Stadler]], Akston's counterpart in the [[Physics]] department. Galt earned his Master of Science and began work on his PhD in Physics. Ragnar Danneskjöld also enrolled in the graduate school under Akston's advice; he earned his Master of Arts in Philosophy and also worked on his PhD.

Eventually the three students graduated. Hugh Akston might possibly have thought to see those three again, at class reunions. He never thought to be working as closely with them as he soon would.

In 2004, Dr. Stadler made the fateful decision to endorse the establishment of what became the [[State Science Institute]]. Hugh Akston felt only pity for his friend and colleague. As nearly as he could tell, Robert Stadler believed that mind and body were somehow split, and that the purest exercise of the mind must divorce itself from "mere" practical application, on grounds that Stadler never specified and Akston never understood. John Galt was bitterly disappointed in Stadler, and let him know that in no uncertain terms.

 

Akston little knew how that drama would later blow up.

== The strike ==

== The strike ==

In 1945 (the year that the strike most likely began; see [[Atlas Shrugged#Time setting]] for details), John Galt came to see his old professor, and told him a story that was as shocking as it was sad. Hugh Akston had seen some disturbing signs that the society in which he lived believed that reason was somehow out of style. But he was quite unprepared for the story that John Galt told him.

In 2007, Ragnar Danneskjöld abruptly asked for a leave of absence, to answer some kind of summons he had received to New York City. A few days later, Ragnar and his old friend John Galt were in Hugh Akston's home on campus. The two young men told Akston a story that was as shocking as it was sad. Hugh Akston had seen some disturbing signs that the society in which he lived believed that reason was somehow out of style. But he was quite unprepared for the story that John Galt told him.

John had gone to work for the [[Twentieth Century Motor Company]], in Starnesville, [[Wisconsin]]. There he had conceived, and build a prototype of, an [[John Galt#The electrostatic motor|electrostatic motor]] for automobiles, and potentially for [[railroad]] [[locomotive]]s and even more powerful applications.

John had gone to work for the [[Twentieth Century Motor Company]], in Starnesville, [[Wisconsin]]. There he had conceived, and build a prototype of, an [[John Galt#The electrostatic motor|electrostatic motor]] for automobiles, and potentially for [[railroad]] [[locomotive]]s and even more powerful applications.

# The problem would get worse, not better.

# The problem would get worse, not better.

John Galt said that he wished to "stop the motor of the world." To do that, he was going on [[strike]], and calling upon all the creative minds of the country to do the same. The rules of the strike were simple: anyone having sufficient savings was to retire; any other person was to take the lowest job that he could find. Francisco d'Anconia and Ragnar Danneskjold had already joined him. Now John Galt was asking Dr. Akston to join him as well.

John Galt said that he wished to "stop the motor of the world." To do that, he was going on [[strike]], and calling upon all the creative minds of the country to do the same. The rules of the strike were simple: anyone having sufficient savings was to retire; any other person was to take the lowest job that he could find. Francisco d'Anconia and Ragnar Danneskjöld had already joined him. This was why Ragnar had come to see Akston: he was now resigning from the PhD program. Now John Galt was asking Dr. Akston to join him as well.

Hugh Akston could never argue with John Galt, and could not argue this point, either. He agreed with Galt that the world, having declared that it would get along without reason, needed to see how long it could get along without men of reason.

Hugh Akston could never argue with John Galt, and could not argue this point, either. He agreed with Galt that the world, having declared that it would get along without reason, needed to see how long it could get along without men of reason.

So he resigned his chairmanship and his professorship at Patrick Henry University, and moved west, to [[Wyoming]]. There he established a diner-type [[restaurant]], put his name on it, and labored daily as a short-order cook.

So he resigned his chairmanship and his professorship at Patrick Henry University, and moved west, to [[Wyoming]]. There he established a diner-type [[restaurant]], put his name on it, and labored daily as a short-order cook. He would move that diner many times in the ensuing years. But every June he would close his diner and agree to meet with John, Francisco, and Ragnar at a never-revealed location. Beginning in 2008, [[William Hastings]], John Galt's old boss, and composer [[Richard Halley]] joined their circle. Then in 2011 came the event that changed everything.

== Galt's Gulch ==

== Galt's Gulch ==

: ''Main Article: [[Galt's Gulch]]''

: ''Main Article: [[Galt's Gulch]]''

The news of the "controlled run" on the Mulligan Bank, owned by [[Midas Mulligan|Michael "Midas" Mulligan]], in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], probably reached him through the usual channel: the newspapers. But later, John Galt came to see him at his diner, and told him that Midas Mulligan had bought a large parcel of raw land in a secluded valley in the [[Colorado]] portion of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. But what had begun as a private retreat for one frustrated and indignant striker, now had at least some of the features of a community. John Galt had, quite simply, built a very large version of his electrostatic motor in the valley to provide it with electric power. Someone else, presumably Midas, had drilled a water well. The upshot was that this valley was now an attractive place to build a home, and John Galt now said that he would like to see his old professor build his own house in the valley and to come and stay there at least one month out of the year.

The news of the "controlled run" on the Mulligan Bank, owned by [[Midas Mulligan|Michael "Midas" Mulligan]], in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], probably reached Akston through the usual channel: the newspapers. But later, John Galt came to see him at his diner, and told him that Midas Mulligan had not only joined the strike, but planned to retire to the old mining town of Ouray, [[Colorado]], which Mulligan now owned, together with a miles-long portion of the Uncompaghre River Valley to either side of the town. So now the regular June meeting would take place in that valley, which Galt called Mulligan's Valley. Furthermore, Mulligan would grant Akston a leasehold so that he could build his own house there. This Akston did, on the right bank of the Uncompaghre, high up-slope, where the setting sun could shine on his back yard. John Galt had, for a fee paid in gold, build some interesting amenities:

 

* A refractor-ray-based cloaking device, built 700 feet above the valley floor, that projected a false image of a rock-strewn valley five miles distant to any pilot flying overhead,

* An electrostatic powerplant to run it and to provide electric power to anyone who wished to build there, and

* A water pumping and treatment system to bring water from the Uncompaghre to any home.

Hugh Akston agreed, and John Galt flew him into the valley (this was the only means of access). What he saw impressed him. Still, he did not see how he could stay in the valley longer than one month out of the year, because at the time the valley did not have a thriving economy. But he built a home and agreed to visit the valley once a year, in June.

Hugh Akston agreed to come, and John Galt flew him into the valley (this was the only means of access). What he saw impressed him. Still, he did not see how he could stay in the valley longer than one month out of the year, because at the time the valley did not have a thriving economy. But he built a home and agreed to visit the valley once a year, in June.

== Dagny Taggart's Visit ==

== Dagny Taggart's Visit ==

Early in that year, a beautiful and very driven woman came to see Hugh Akston at his diner, asking after the inventor of the electrostatic motor. Her name was [[Dagny Taggart]], and she was Vice-President in Charge of Operations for the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]. Hugh Akston knew her by reputation, and did not take long to infer that she was trying to track down John Galt (whose name she did not know) through his association with his former superior, William Hastings. Hastings, as Akston knew, was dead, but his widow had apparently given Akston's name to Miss Taggart.

In October of 2017, a beautiful and very driven woman came to see Hugh Akston at his diner, asking after the inventor of the electrostatic motor. Her name was [[Dagny Taggart]], and she was Vice-President in Charge of Operations for the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]. Hugh Akston knew her by reputation, and did not take long to infer that she was trying to track down John Galt (whose name she did not know) through his association with his former superior, William Hastings. Hastings, as Akston knew, had died five years earlier, but his widow had apparently given Akston's name to Miss Taggart.

Hugh Akston tried, as gently as he could, to persuade Miss Taggart to break off her search. In the course of that conversation, he introduced himself to her. She was shocked to see a professor of philosophy working as a short-order cook. Without realizing that he might be giving her another clue, he told her, {{cquote|Contradictions do not exist. If you find it inconceivable that the inventor of a new kind of motor would abandon his creation, or that a professor of philosophy would be working in a diner, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.}}

Hugh Akston tried, as gently as he could, to persuade Miss Taggart to break off her search. In the course of that conversation, he introduced himself to her. She was shocked to see a professor of philosophy working as a short-order cook. Without realizing that he might be giving her another clue, he told her, {{cquote|Contradictions do not exist. If you find it inconceivable that the inventor of a new kind of motor would abandon his creation, or that a professor of philosophy would be working in a diner, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.}}

== Development of the Gulch ==

== Development of the Gulch ==

Then came the lighting of [[Ellis Wyatt|Wyatt's Torch]] and the arrival in the valley of many brilliant businessmen who had been attracted to Colorado by its limited government, and then felt chased out of Colorado when the Federal government had issued a series of "directives" that destroyed Colorado's incentives. John Galt, of course, told these men to come to Mulligan's Valley, which the new arrivals and the long-term residence soon renamed [[Galt's Gulch]] in honor of Galt. They, of course, brought their skills with them, and soon had the Gulch organized with a very robust industrial and commercial economy.

November of 2017 brought the lighting of [[Ellis Wyatt|Wyatt's Torch]] and the arrival in the valley of many brilliant businessmen who had been attracted to Colorado by its limited government, and then felt chased out of Colorado when the Federal government had issued a series of "directives" that destroyed Colorado's incentives. John Galt, of course, told these men to come to Mulligan's Valley, which the new arrivals and the long-term residence soon renamed [[Galt's Gulch]] in honor of Galt. They, of course, brought their skills with them, and soon had the Gulch organized with a very robust industrial and commercial economy.

Whether Hugh Akston finally closed his diner and established himself in the Gulch permanently, the novel does not say. But he definitely was in the Gulch in June of 1957 for another momentous event.

Hugh Akston finally closed his diner and established himself in the Gulch permanently. Midas Mulligan had, a few years earlier, established the Mulligan [[Tobacco]] Company, and invited Hugh Akston to buy into the company. Their company rolled a distinctive brand of [[cigarettes]] bearing the sign of the dollar. Those cigarettes had heretofore brought Akston a modest extra income, but one that he could spend only inside the valley, not outside. But now that the valley's population had exploded, Akston realized that his Mulligan Tobacco "holding" would bring him an income that would let him live permanently in the valley. And so he was already a resident in May of 2019, in time for another momentous event.

== Dagny's crash-landing ==

== Dagny's crash-landing ==

That event was the uninvited and unplanned visit of Dagny Taggart to the Gulch. John Galt had come to the Gulch as usual, taking a vacation from his "regular" job as a track walker in the Taggart Terminal in [[New York City]]. He then had taken his personal aircraft and flown out to Afton, [[Utah]], to recruit one [[Quentin Daniels]], who had apparently been trying to reverse-engineer the electrostatic motor at Dagny Taggart's request. None of the residents of the Gulch would have predicted that Dagny Taggart would give chase to John Galt's aircraft, and continue to search for it after it had ducked under the refractor-ray screen, established at an elevation of 700 feet above ground level to provide a "mirror in the sky" and keep the valley hidden. Dagny Taggart's aircraft impinged upon the screen, and the rays shorted out her motor, causing her craft to drop like a rock. Happily, Dagny was able to get enough control of her aircraft so that when she inevitably crashed, she survived with nothing more serious than an injured ankle.

That event was the uninvited and unplanned visit of Dagny Taggart to the Gulch, on May 31, 2019. John Galt had come to the Gulch as usual, taking a vacation from his "regular" job as a track walker in the Taggart Terminal in [[New York City]]. He then had taken his personal aircraft and flown out to Afton, [[Utah]], to recruit one [[Quentin Daniels]], who had apparently been trying to reverse-engineer the electrostatic motor at Dagny Taggart's request. None of the residents of the Gulch would have predicted that Dagny Taggart would give chase to John Galt's aircraft, and continue to search for it after it had ducked under the refractor-ray screen. Dagny Taggart's aircraft impinged upon the screen, and the rays shorted out her motor, causing her craft to drop like a rock. Happily, Dagny was able to get enough control of her aircraft so that when she inevitably crashed, she survived with nothing more serious than an injured ankle.

And so Hugh Akston saw Dagny Taggart for a second time. This time he introduced himself in relation to his former student:{{cquote|I'm one of his two fathers—the one who didn't betray him.}}

And so Hugh Akston saw Dagny Taggart for a second time. This time he introduced himself in relation to his former student:{{cquote|I'm one of his two fathers—the one who didn't betray him.}}

At the end of June, Dagny Taggart elected to return to her job with Taggart Transcontinental, to the disappointment of virtually every resident. But before the year was out, Dagny would be back, and to stay, as the outside society collapsed into [[anarchy]]. But the story of that homecoming was as frightening to Akston as anything he could have conceived.

At the end of June, Dagny Taggart elected to return to her job with Taggart Transcontinental, to the disappointment of virtually every resident. But before the year was out, Dagny would be back, and to stay, as the outside society collapsed into [[anarchy]]. But the story of that homecoming was as frightening to Akston as anything he could have conceived.

On November 4, 1957, John Galt brought [[Henry Rearden]] to the valley, and then returned to New York as quickly as he had come. The next day, several key people from Rearden's steel plant followed him to the valley, mostly in Francisco d'Anconia's aircraft. Rearden began at once to re-establish Rearden Steel in the valley.

On November 5, 2019, John Galt brought [[Henry Rearden]] to the valley. He introduced Rearden at Midas Mulligans traditional "welcome-home" dinner, whereupon Rearden took orders for Rrearden Metal from half the men present. In the next few days, Francisco d'Anconia brought several senior members of Rearden's workforce with him; others drove in by company bus. (One of Francisco's workers drove to the valley along the camouflaged Million Dollar Highway in Rearden's automobile.)

 

 

On November 15, Ragnar Danneskjöld landed in the valley, carrying a cargo of gold. He also brought this intelligence: that on November 23, [[Mr. Thompson]], the head of State, intended to deliver a speech "on the world crisis."

On November 22, John Galt came back to the valley long enough to deliver a speech to the outside, pre-empting [[Mr. Thompson]]'s time. Then Galt went back to New York. Very few men could understand why. Hugh Akston was one of them. He knew that John Galt was in love with Dagny Taggart, and her recruitment was now his one aim, from which no one, not even Akston himself, could dissuade Galt.

On November 22, John Galt pre-empted [[Mr. Thompson]]'s time and delivered his own speech to the world, for three hours. Then Galt went back to New York. Very few men could understand why. Hugh Akston was one of them. He knew that John Galt was in love with Dagny Taggart, and her recruitment was now his one aim, from which no one, not even Akston himself, could dissuade Galt.

For three months, Galt would make terse reports to the valley, from his apartment in New York, on the happenings outside. So Akston heard, at the same time that Hank Rearden did, about the collapse and destruction of the old Rearden Steel. Rearden laughed it off and told his new friends not to worry about it, because Rearden Steel was now headquartered in "Galt's Gulch," not Berks County, [[Pennsylvania]].

For three months, Galt would make terse reports to the valley, from his apartment in New York, on the happenings outside. So Akston heard, at the same time that Hank Rearden did, about the collapse and destruction of the old Rearden Steel. Rearden laughed it off and told his new friends not to worry about it, because Rearden Steel was now headquartered in "Galt's Gulch," not Berks County, [[Pennsylvania]].

And then John Galt was arrested.

And then, on February 22, 2020, John Galt was arrested.

The news struck the valley like a thunderclap. Akston went straight to the cabin of Ragnar Danneskjold, who now was the senior member of the Committee of Safety. Using all the skill he remembered from his days as a university professor, he argued strenuously that Ragnar ''must'' allow him to take part in the rescue of John Galt. Ragnar accepted this, but told Akston to "stick close to [[Ellis Wyatt]], stay out of his way, and do exactly as he tells you." Ellis Wyatt, the shale-oil tycoon, would command the main body of what now became the Galt's Gulch Combined Air and Land Militia.

The news struck the valley like a thunderclap. Akston went straight to the cabin of Ragnar Danneskjöld, who now was the senior member of the Committee of Safety. Using all the skill he remembered from his days as a university professor, he argued strenuously that Ragnar ''must'' allow him to take part in the rescue of John Galt. Ragnar accepted this, but told Akston to "stick close to [[Ellis Wyatt]], stay out of his way, and do exactly as he tells you." Ellis Wyatt, the shale-oil tycoon, would command the main body of what now became the Galt's Gulch Combined Air and Land Militia.

Akston did not allow himself to feel during the days that he kept station, at Wyatt's side, on Manhattan Island, then the hasty decamping and transit to Lyme, [[New Hampshire]], and the suspenseful wait for word as Dagny Taggart, Francisco, Ragnar, and Henry Rearden walked, alone and very lightly armed, onto the campus of the [[State Science Institute]] to search for and rescue John Galt.

Akston did not allow himself to feel during the days that he kept station, at Wyatt's side, on Manhattan Island, then the hasty decamping and transit to Lyme, [[New Hampshire]], and the suspenseful wait for word as Dagny Taggart, Francisco, Ragnar, and Henry Rearden walked, alone and very lightly armed, onto the campus of the [[State Science Institute]] to search for and rescue John Galt.