Discovery or Invention?*

The relation between industrial and academic research is discussed, and a distinction is drawn between discovery– the revelation of what exists in our environment and the study of the laws that govern it– and invention– the utilisation of the results of discovery to change that environment. Problems arising from difficulties in communication, especially in large industrial complexes, are discussed and illustrated. Finally, the role of the universities in the training of graduates for participation in applied scientific activities is examined.