Who would have thought that the modern computer circuit would have been invented using theories derived from ancient Greek philosophy?
Greek philosopher Aristotle who died in 322 BC developed a system of logic based on two propositions – true or false. In the 1800s, English mathematician George Boole used this philosophy to develop a symbolic mathematical system which is now called “boolean algebra.”
Using this algebra he wrote several papers, mathematically investigating the laws of thought and the nature of logic. In 1938, American mathematician and electrical engineer Claude E Shannon completed a master’s thesis at MIT based on boolean algebra, which when it was applied revolutionised the study of switches in electrical circuits. This eventually led to the modern computer circuit, the basis of all the technology we use today.
The point is that people tend to underestimate the value of good research and development. Today, research and development is one of the keys to business growth. Research and development leads to innovation, which in business could give one a competitive edge.
On a wider scale, research, development and innovation could benefit entire sectors and the wider economy. A company, or a country that invests more in research and development will achieve more and could provide real-world benefits to its people.
Trinidad and Tobago is one of the many countries that could be accused of not paying more attention to research and development (R&D). A GlobalEconomy.com data index on research and development expenditure indicates that the average value of expenditure for research and development between 1996 and 2017 was 0.09 per cent of GDP. Today it is about 0.04 per cent.
[caption id="attachment_918891" align="alignnone" width="576"] The UWI engineering department with the help of packaging supplier Label House, produced face masks and shields to worldwide standards. Photo taken from sta.uwi.edu -[/caption]
When compared to countries like the United States which used about 3.06 per cent of its GDP ($606 billion) in 2018 on research and development it could be argued that TT is far behind in the research and development race.
This is why UWI principal and developer of the modern G-pan and the percussive harmonic instrument (PHI), Professor Brian Copeland expressed excitement at government’s plan to implement a research and development capital allowance for up to 40 per cent of expenditure incurred by companies engaged in research and development from January 2022. In his budget reading on October 4, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said the fiscal measure would cost about $25 million and benefit about 1,000 companies.
But Copeland said when it comes to investment in research development and innovation, TT is about 30 years behind.
The (other) man with the hammer
When one thinks of research and development in TT, those who are aware would immediately think about the G-pan, the modern innovation to the national instrument developed by Copeland and a group of engineers in 2007. Cop
