the life of Philo T Farnsworth - Early Television Foundation

PROMISE OF FINANCIAL HELP 55
with Farnsworth's idea it is necessary that we approach some
people whom I respect, and whose I
good opinion wish to retain,
and ask them for financial help.
I don't wish to do so
unless I am completely sure of this proposition in my own
mind. Therefore, I
this thing scientifically sound"
want to ask you three questions. First, is
Dr. Smith said, almost bemusedly, "Yes/'
"Second, is it original" I asked.
Dr. Smith replied,
"I am pretty well acquainted
with the
literature on the subject of electronic developments, and I
know of no research that is
being carried on along similar lines."
Richard Lyon said that he knew of no patents along the lines
of Farnsworth's scheme, but both stated that naturally they
could not know of all the developments being carried on privately
or in secret by individual investigators or by the large
laboratories.
Leonard Lyon stated that a patent search would be advisable
as a measure of safety,
and I authorized him to send Farnsworth's
memorandum to his firm's Washington correspondent
for a patent search before filing a patent application.
My third question was, "Is this thing feasible can it be
worked out to make a practical operating unit"
Richard Lyon replied, "You will have great difficulty
in doing
it, but we see no insuperable obstacles at this time."
Then I turned to Dr. Smith and explained that I was not
satisfied with the judgment of a four-hour conference and
asked him to take a copy of the memorandum home to his
Pasadena laboratory and give
it such thought and attention as
he could during the following week. I stated that at the end of
the time Farnsworth and I would drive over to Pasadena and
see if he was still of the same mind. Dr. Smith agreed to do this.
Then I asked him what his fee was for the conference.