Comment Re:The Fictional Radioactive Materials (Score 1) 242
As far as Jerome Lemelson and the barcode patent are concerned, all the supporting technology was in place. We had computers. We had devices that read instructions and data from paper tape. We had devices that could sense light levels. Maybe he did put two and two together. I don't know.
My point, though, is this: Since patents only last 20 years, there's no point in patenting something that is 30 years out. You can't make any money on it. But Boeing is taking out patents. So, the only conclusion is that Boeing has stumbled onto an idea that will make fusion engines a practical reality before the patent runs out.