The invisible businessman: Nuclear physics, patenting practices,and trading activities in the 1930s

Turchetti, Simone (2006) The invisible businessman: Nuclear physics, patenting practices,and trading activities in the 1930s. Historical Studies in the Physical and Biological Sciences, 37 (1). pp. 153-172. ISSN 0890-9997

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Published Version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/hsps.2006.37.1.153

Abstract

In the 1930s the production of patents for the protection of intellectual rights became central to the research activities of Enrico Fermi and his group, consistently with a research policy emerging within the Italian Fascist Regime. Behind their work was an international network consisting of businessmen, industrialists, and multinationals who helped them patent their method for the production of artificial radioactive elements and to promote its industrial exploitation. The lack of research funding combined with a more aggressive foreign policy of the regime made it impossible for the group to continue these activities in Rome, and in 1938 the promulgation of racial laws forced them to migrate abroad.

Item Type:	Article
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information:	Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self archiving policy.
Keywords:	nuclear physics, intellectual property, fascism, radioactive elements, international business, industrial processes, medical treatments
Academic Units:	The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts (Leeds) > School of Humanities (Leeds) > School of Philosophy (Leeds) > Division of the History and Philosophy of Science (Leeds)
Depositing User:	Dr. Simone Turchetti
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2008 17:16
Last Modified:	08 Feb 2013 17:05
Published Version:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/hsps.2006.37.1.153
Status:	Published
Publisher:	University of California Press
Refereed:	Yes
Identification Number:	10.1525/hsps.2006.37.1.153
Related URLs:	Author
URI:	http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/4611

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