Applied science Quote by Joseph John Thomson
“This example illustrates the differences in the effects which may be produced by research in pure or applied science. A research on the lines of applied science would doubtless have led to improvement and development of the older methods-the research in pure science has given us an entirely new and much more powerful method. In fact, research in applied science leads to reforms, research in pure science leads to revolutions, and revolutions, whether political or industrial, are exceedingly profitable things if you are on the winning side.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Science, 1900s
Applied research refines existing methods; pure research creates revolutionary breakthroughs that can dominate markets.
In simple terms: Applied improves; pure creates revolutions.
Key Takeaway
Leverage pure research for transformative impact.
Themes
science
innovation
economics
politics
profit
Mood
analytical
optimistic
Type
strategic
inspirational
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- government policy
- R&D planning
- investment decisions
Key Concepts
revolutionary change
incremental improvement
strategic advantage
Questions to Reflect On
- How can organizations balance pure and applied research?
- What risks exist when betting on revolutionary science?
A Different Perspective
Pure research may be costly and uncertain before payoff.
![“Even a pure mathematician may find his appreciation of this geometry [applied geometry] quickened, since there is no mathematician so pure that he feels no interest at all in the physical world; but, in so far as he succumbs to this temptation, he will be abandoning his purely mathematical position.” quote by G.H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/g-h-hardy-2-30074_applications_even-a-pure-mathematician-may-find-his-a_1015722.jpg)
