human
I can't say: 'Name your price'; this thing is obviously worth a great deal more than even Power Utilities would be able to pay. Not even a corporation like ours can whip up a billion dollars without going bankrupt. What we pay you will have to be amortized over a period of years. But we--
gpt
Just a minute, Mr. Olcott, Bending interrupted.
human
Exactly what do you intend to do with the Converter if I sell it to you?
gpt
Why ... ah-- He paused.
human
Actually, I couldn't say, he said at last.
gpt
A decision like that would have to be made by the Board. Why?
human
How long do you think it would take you to get into production?
gpt
I ... ah ... frankly couldn't say, Olcott said cautiously.
human
Several years, I imagine...
gpt
Longer than that, I dare say, Bending said, with more than a touch of sarcasm.
human
As a matter of fact, you'd pretty much have to suppress the Converter, wouldn't you?
gpt
Of course. For a while. You know very well that this could ruin us.
human
The automobile ruined the buggy-whip makers and threw thousands of blacksmiths out of work, Bending pointed out.
gpt
Such things are inevitable. Every new invention is likely to have an effect like that if it replaces something older. What do you think atomic energy would have done to coal mining if it weren't for the fact that coal is needed in the manufacture of steel? You can't let considerations like that stand in the way of technological progress, Mr. Olcott.
human
Is it a question of money?
gpt
Not at all. We've already agreed that I could make as much as I want by selling it to you. No; it's just that I'm an idealist of sorts. I intend to manufacture the Converter myself, in order to make sure it gets into the hands of the people.
human
I assure you, Mr. Bending, that Power Utilities would do just that--as soon as it became economically feasible for us to do so.