zlacker

the spoils to everyone who innovated on the transistor.

>>gohrt+(OP)
Not necessarily, unless they also got patents on their innovations.

>>gohrt+(OP)
That's what I meant. THose that generated the most value on the transistor, got the spoils - eg Fairchild, Intel, etc

>>sp332+t3
You're aware that it's possible to make money on an invention without patenting it. First to market advantage, a foothold in the market, continuing brand recognition as the go-to source for that product, a head start on the next round of innovation, increased sales across the industry as the product becomes more valuable to customers, increased sales of complementary products and services, etc.

>>Anthon+pc
Or just keeping it a trade secret, like WD-40.