Another instance of the constraining effect of republican political ideal is
Benjamin Franklin’s refusal to exploit his inventions for private profit. Thus
Franklin’s reaction when the governor of Pennsylvania urged him to accept a
patent for his successful design of the “Franklin stove”:
- Governor Thomas was so pleased with the construction of this stove
as described in… [the pamphlet] that… he offered to give me a
patent for the sole vending of them for a term of years; but I
declined it from a principle which has ever wieghed with me on
such occasions, namely; viz., that as we enjoy great advantages
from the invention of others, we should be glad of an opportunity
to serve others by any invention of ours, and this we should do
freely and generously [emphasis in original].
From Leo Marx - Does Improved Technology Mean Progress.