From science to technology to products and profits - Superconductivity at General Electric and Intermagnetics General (1960-1990)

We follow the evolution of superconductivity from empirical discovery to theory development, to proof of the theory by General Electric (GE) laboratory experiments by Nobel laureate Ivar Giaever, to the development, design and manufacture of superconducting materials and magnets, to the creation of new venture (Intermagnetics General, IGC), to application to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which resulted in GE's world leadership. We highlight the role of R&D management in encouraging creativity, transferring technology to operations and achieving leadership through technology. We also discuss implications for R&D managers and entrepreneurs in established companies who wish to start an internal venture, and for technological entrepreneurs who are planning a spin-off. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.