The Economic Significance of Creative Engineering Activity

In the past it was mainly the inventions that stimulated trade and industry most vigorously which enabled the development of hitherto unknown products and processes. Experience has proved, however, that it is, in particular, these most valuable inventions which often necessitate lead times of up to 30 years during which they require intellectual and financial support until they can finally produce their positive effects. A great deal is lost in the course of this long evolution. However, inventions and research results can already be visualised today which, in the future, will open up new economic dimensions. The creative spirit behind such progress provides an incentive to highly industrialised states the importance of which has not yet been fully realised.