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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.

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 reward 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.

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. 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.

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.

John Galt 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. Galt's criticism was twofold: that the science/engineering dichotomy was false anyway, and that scientific research was not a proper function of government. 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.)

John Galt 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. Galt's criticism was twofold: that the science/engineering dichotomy was false anyway, and that scientific research was not a proper function of government. 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.)

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.

[[Dagny Taggart]] then came to see him and tried to persuade him to reopen the investigation. He was forced to admit that they had never seen a metal so strong, lightweight, and easy to work as Rearden Metal, but refused to reopen the investigation. (Perhaps he knew even then that he could never have done so even if he had so desired.) This was the occasion in which he told Dagny Taggart about his three prize students and what had happened to them. In fact, he blamed the destinies (as he incorrectly understood them) of Francisco d'Anconia and Ragnar Danneskjold for his disillusionment.

[[Dagny Taggart]] then came to see him and tried to persuade him to reopen the investigation. He was forced to admit that they had never seen a metal so strong, lightweight, and easy to work as Rearden Metal, but refused to reopen the investigation. (Perhaps he knew even then that he could never have done so even if he had so desired.) This was the occasion in which he told Dagny Taggart about his three prize students and what had happened to them. In fact, he blamed the destinies (as he incorrectly understood them) of Francisco d'Anconia and Ragnar Danneskjold for his disillusionment.

He would, however, hear from Dagny Taggart once more. She called him and asked his help in trying to understand, and reconstruct, what apparently was a [[prototype]] of an [[John Galt#The electrostatic motor|electrostatic motor]]. Stadler was amazed that anyone could have invented such a thing, and indicated that such an inventor belonged in "pure science," not building motors, electrostatic or otherwise. Nevertheless, when Miss Taggart ask for his recommendation of an engineer who might be competent to reconstruct the prototype, he made one. He gave her the name of [[Quentin Daniels]] and his contact information.

He would, however, hear from Dagny Taggart once more. She called him and asked his help in trying to understand, and reconstruct, what apparently was a [[prototype]] of an [[John Galt#The electrostatic motor|electrostatic motor]]. Stadler was amazed that anyone could have invented such a thing, and indicated that such an inventor belonged in "pure science," not building motors, electrostatic or otherwise. Nevertheless, when Miss Taggart ask for his recommendation of an engineer who might be competent to reconstruct the prototype, he made one. He gave her the name of [[Quentin Daniels]] and his contact information.

He would not hear from Dagny Taggart again, nor see her, until the late fall of the last year of the [[strike]].

He would not hear from Dagny Taggart again, nor see her, until the late fall of the last year of the [[strike]].

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.

Stadler was appalled. Critical thinking is a necessary faculty in any scientist, a principle that Stadler had lived by at PHU and never thought to see questioned, much less directly contradicted. As he later said indignantly to Ferris, he would sooner have expected to see such a book written by "a drunken lout" than by "a man of science," and worse yet, under the ''imprimatur'' of the State Science Institute.

Stadler was appalled. Critical thinking is a necessary faculty in any scientist, a principle that Stadler had lived by at PHU and never thought to see questioned, much less directly contradicted. As he later said indignantly to Ferris, he would sooner have expected to see such a book written by "a drunken lout" than by "a man of science," and worse yet, under the ''imprimatur'' of the State Science Institute.

But when Stadler threatened to withdraw the book from circulation and disavow any connection with the official opinion of the Institute, Floyd Ferris quite calmly told Stadler that he was in no position to do any such thing. In brutal fact, Ferris had always been the political animal, and the liaison between the Institute and the [[Executive Office of the President]], where the Institute's funding came from. Stadler, in contrast, had ''no'' friends either in the [[Mr. Thompson|Thompson]] administration or on Capitol Hill.

But when Stadler threatened to withdraw the book from circulation and disavow any connection with the official opinion of the Institute, Floyd Ferris quite calmly told Stadler that he was in no position to do any such thing. In brutal fact, Ferris had always been the political animal, and the liaison between the Institute and the [[Executive Office of the President]], where the Institute's funding came from. Stadler, in contrast, had ''no'' friends either in the [[Mr. Thompson|Thompson]] administration or on Capitol Hill.

Stadler could, therefore, do no more than accept his role as a mere figurehead. His filing of his copy of Ferris' work in the "circular file" was, at best, a petulant gesture, and he knew it even as he made it.

Stadler could, therefore, do no more than accept his role as a mere figurehead. His filing of his copy of Ferris' work in the "circular file" was, at best, a petulant gesture, and he knew it even as he made it.

== 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 [[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.

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.

Then came the moment of the demonstration. As one of the officials worked several levers on a small console, Stadler watched in horror as a tethered goat, a wooden shack, and a section of [[railroad]] trestle all were knocked flat to the ground, seemingly without being touched. This was the effect of the Harmonizer, or the Xylophone as it was also called: it used [[ultrasonic]] beams to weaken or even pulverize any object at which they were directed.

Then came the moment of the demonstration. As one of the officials worked several levers on a small console, Stadler watched in horror as a tethered goat, a wooden shack, and a section of [[railroad]] trestle all were knocked flat to the ground, seemingly without being touched. This was the effect of the Harmonizer, or the Xylophone as it was also called: it used [[ultrasonic]] beams to weaken or even pulverize any object at which they were directed.

Stadler asked Ferris, "Who invented that ghastly thing?"

Stadler asked Ferris, "Who invented that ghastly thing?"

And Ferris answered, "You did." Ferris then explained: Project X had grown out of Robert Stadler's own pioneering work on the physics of sound, work he had begun at the University and then brought to perfection at the Institute. Then, before Stadler could protest further, Ferris handed him a speech to make to the millions of people listening on the [[radio]].

And Ferris answered, "You did." Ferris then explained: Project X had grown out of Robert Stadler's own pioneering work on the physics of sound, work he had begun at the University and then brought to perfection at the Institute. Then, before Stadler could protest further, Ferris handed him a speech to make to the millions of people listening on the [[radio]].

As Stadler approached the microphone, listening to speech after speech making eerily absurd claims of how "good" and "friendly" the Xylophone would prove to be to humanity, a reporter called upon Stadler to denounce the project and tell the truth about it in order to save the country from becoming a dictatorship. Stadler shook the man away, and Ferris demanded the reporter's press credentials and work permit. Then Stadler began his speech:{{cquote|I am humbly proud that I have been able to place into the hands of Mr. Thompson a device that will prove a salutary liberating influence on the mind of man.}}

As Stadler approached the microphone, listening to speech after speech making eerily absurd claims of how "good" and "friendly" the Xylophone would prove to be to humanity, a reporter called upon Stadler to denounce the project and tell the truth about it in order to save the country from becoming a dictatorship. Stadler shook the man away, and Ferris demanded the reporter's press credentials and work permit. Then Stadler began his speech:{{cquote|I am humbly proud that I have been able to place into the hands of Mr. Thompson a device that will prove a salutary liberating influence on the mind of man.}}

== John Galt makes a speech ==

== John Galt makes a speech ==

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. 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.

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 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.

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.

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 ==

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.

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.

Finally Stadler blurted out that Galt was the one who had to be destroyed. As soon as he said that, he tried to take it back. But Galt said,{{cquote|You have said everything that I wanted to say to you.}}

Finally Stadler blurted out that Galt was the one who had to be destroyed. As soon as he said that, he tried to take it back. But Galt said,{{cquote|You have said everything that I wanted to say to you.}}

== 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 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.

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.

He arrived at the Project site to find it occupied by the sort of persons, commonly called "goons," with whom he had never before had the misfortune to deal. In a blustering, imperious tone, he demanded entry and was admitted. He would repeat his name, thinking that his name alone would open doors for him. Yet no one seemed to know his name, a situation that angered him. At every step, he found himself demanding to see the next higher person in command, and kept trying to assert his own authority:{{cquote|I'm the boss around here. I give the orders. I'm Dr. Robert Stadler, and if you don't know ''that'' name in ''this'' place, you've got no business being here.}}

He arrived at the Project site to find it occupied by the sort of persons, commonly called "goons," with whom he had never before had the misfortune to deal. In a blustering, imperious tone, he demanded entry and was admitted. He would repeat his name, thinking that his name alone would open doors for him. Yet no one seemed to know his name, a situation that angered him. At every step, he found himself demanding to see the next higher person in command, and kept trying to assert his own authority:{{cquote|I'm the boss around here. I give the orders. I'm Dr. Robert Stadler, and if you don't know ''that'' name in ''this'' place, you've got no business being here.}}

Then it hit him: these men had taken the project over for themselves! Incredulous, he asked sarcastically whether these untrained and uneducated men actually thought that they could "handle a high-precision instrument of science." Then he demanded to see the leader of what he now regarded as he would any gang of robbers or burglars.

Then it hit him: these men had taken the project over for themselves! Incredulous, he asked sarcastically whether these untrained and uneducated men actually thought that they could "handle a high-precision instrument of science." Then he demanded to see the leader of what he now regarded as he would any gang of robbers or burglars.

The leader turned out to be [[Cuffy Meigs]], whom Stadler knew to be a thoroughly corrupt functionary, famous for enriching himself while holding such posts as Director of Railroad Unification. Stadler found Meigs in the central control room of the Xylophone. Meigs was obviously [[alcoholic drink|drunk]], almost too drunk to stand, and was barking out instructions for proclamations and tax demands as Stadler burst in.

The leader turned out to be [[Cuffy Meigs]], whom Stadler knew to be a thoroughly corrupt functionary, famous for enriching himself while holding such posts as Director of Railroad Unification. Stadler found Meigs in the central control room of the Xylophone. Meigs was obviously [[alcoholic drink|drunk]], almost too drunk to stand, and was barking out instructions for proclamations and tax demands as Stadler burst in.

Stadler still tried to play on the strength of his name, and imperiously demanded of Meigs what he thought he was doing, and what he was doing in that place. Meigs scoffed at Stadler, at least when he could concentrate on him. What appalled Stadler even more was when Meigs would sway about and then grab a control lever to steady himself. Stadler blurted out, "Don't touch those levers, you fool." This at first made Meigs recoil from the levers, but then made him roar out defiantly that he now owned the Xylophone and could do with it as he pleased. Stadler tried to assert his own ownership over the Xylophone, saying that he had "invented" and "created" it and "made it possible." Meigs sarcastically "thanked" him and said that he had his own mechanics.

Stadler still tried to play on the strength of his name, and imperiously demanded of Meigs what he thought he was doing, and what he was doing in that place. Meigs scoffed at Stadler, at least when he could concentrate on him. What appalled Stadler even more was when Meigs would sway about and then grab a control lever to steady himself. Stadler blurted out, "Don't touch those levers, you fool." This at first made Meigs recoil from the levers, but then made him roar out defiantly that he now owned the Xylophone and could do with it as he pleased. Stadler tried to assert his own ownership over the Xylophone, saying that he had "invented" and "created" it and "made it possible." Meigs sarcastically "thanked" him and said that he had his own mechanics.

Stadler was even more appalled. As he spoke, he realized that he had sold his soul, and also realized that Cuffy Meigs was, in essence, here to collect it. In a last gesture of defiance, Stadler roared at Meigs not to touch the levers and tried to push him away from them. Meigs knocked Stadler down and then yanked a lever at random.

Stadler was even more appalled. As he spoke, he realized that he had sold his soul, and also realized that Cuffy Meigs was, in essence, here to collect it. In a last gesture of defiance, Stadler roared at Meigs not to touch the levers and tried to push him away from them. Meigs knocked Stadler down and then yanked a lever at random.

The result was catastrophic. The Xylophone, activated at full gain, destroyed itself, its own blockhouse, Stadler, Meigs, Meigs' crew, and every structure within a hundred miles. Stadler would never know it, but every man, woman and child in that radius was killed almost instantly—and, worst of all, the Taggart Bridge across the [[Mississippi River]] was cut in half.

The result was catastrophic. The Xylophone, activated at full gain, destroyed itself, its own blockhouse, Stadler, Meigs, Meigs' crew, and every structure within a hundred miles. Stadler would never know it, but every man, woman and child in that radius was killed almost instantly—and, worst of all, the Taggart Bridge across the [[Mississippi River]] was cut in half.

Robert Stadler survived the initial blast, only to die in agony within about five minutes.

Robert Stadler survived the initial blast, only to die in agony within about five minutes.

== Typology ==

== Typology ==

Robert Stadler is a distinctly minor [[Literary type#Villain|villain]]. His more important function is as an [[Literary type#Allegorical types|allegorical type]] of every scientist who convinces himself that he can best serve the "cause of science" by securing a "stable" source of grant moneys, and is not loath to accept government grants. Such grants often come at a price, and the price, according to Rand, is the scientist's soul. When the government funds something, that something becomes politicized.

Robert Stadler is a distinctly minor [[Literary type#Villain|villain]]. His more important function is as an [[Literary type#Allegorical types|allegorical type]] of every scientist who convinces himself that he can best serve the "cause of science" by securing a "stable" source of grant moneys, and is not loath to accept government grants. Such grants often come at a price, and the price, according to Rand, is the scientist's soul. When the government funds something, that something becomes politicized.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

{{nb Atlas}}

{{nb Atlas}}

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[[Category:Literary Figures]]

[[Category:Literary Figures]]