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In the novel, the State Science Institute was the brainchild of [[Robert Stadler]], who at the time held the chair of the [[Physics]] Department at [[Patrick Henry]] University, [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]]. Stadler believed in the separation of "pure" [[science]] from applied science, and wanted a guaranteed source of funding so that no scientist would ever have to be beholden, as it were, to purely commercial interests.

In the novel, the State Science Institute was the brainchild of [[Robert Stadler]], who at the time held the chair of the [[Physics]] Department at [[Patrick Henry]] University, [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]]. Stadler believed in the separation of "pure" [[science]] from applied science, and wanted a guaranteed source of funding so that no scientist would ever have to be beholden, as it were, to purely commercial interests.

The Institute was probably established some time between 1913 and 1917. The only clue to its year of establishment is a confrontation that took place between Dr. Stadler and his most prized pupil, [[John Galt]], concerning the propriety of such an Institute. John Galt, of course, did ''not'' recognize any legitimate divide between pure and applied science, nor that any government had any legitimate reason to fund scientific research.

The Institute was probably established some time during or before the [[Second World War]], or perhaps simply the period in which that War (in real life) took place. (There is no evidence that, in the alternate history that the novel represents, the Second World War ever broke out.) The only clue to its year of establishment is a confrontation that took place between Dr. Stadler and his most prized pupil, [[John Galt]], concerning the propriety of such an Institute. John Galt, of course, did ''not'' recognize any legitimate divide between pure and applied science, nor that any government had any legitimate reason to fund scientific research.

Robert Stadler, of course, became Director of the Institute, a post he held until his death. But very soon he lost a key part of his power to his Associate Director, [[Floyd Ferris]]. While Stadler was the "pure scientist," Ferris was a [[politics|politician]] ''par excellence'', and used his political abilities to change the Institute's entire mission in a manner that Stadler found himself powerless to stop or control.

Robert Stadler, of course, became Director of the Institute, a post he held until his death. But very soon he lost a key part of his power to his Associate Director and Top Co-ordinator, [[Floyd Ferris]]. While Stadler was the "pure scientist," Ferris was a [[politics|politician]] ''par excellence'', and used his political abilities to change the Institute's entire mission in a manner that Stadler found himself powerless to stop or control.

The State Science Institute was located in [[New Hampshire]], in a cold region, and near enough to a major river to see it. The only river that could qualify is the [[Connecticut River]], and specifically that part of it that separates New Hampshire from [[Vermont]]. And the most likely location is therefore the reservation that, in real life, holds the [[United States Army]] Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, located along the two-lane highway (Highway Ten, known as the Lyme Road at that point), about a twenty-minute walk north of [[Dartmouth College]] in Hanover. Hence it would be close enough to offer fellowships at a major [[Ivy League]] [[university]], and even long-standing relationships with several faculty departments at that university.

== The Rearden Metal Controversy ==

== The Rearden Metal Controversy ==