Rating: 
Summary: Review of current R&D cases
Review: Buderi explores the recent change of focus in research conducted in the U.S. American research during the 1950s and 60s enjoyed an unprecedented level of funding and latitude in pursuing projects. Basic research was lavishly funded by government agencies and many large corporations built ivory tower research organization that produced Nobel Laureates but not many commercial products. Corporate management has since taken a closer look at the R&D division; cost cutting and downsizing have dramatically changed top managements' perception of R&D. The days of the ivory tower are over and Buderi explores the radical mission changes at many R&D labs across the country. Through interviews with research managers the author gains some valuable information about how these business leaders view R&D, its role within the organization and their style of managing it. The author gives a detailed history of the corporate research division and discusses the attitudes and associated cultures being created at IBM, Siemens, NEC, GE, Bell Labs (Lucent), Xerox, HP, Intel and Microsoft.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful; Fantastic
Review: Engines of Tomorrow by Robert Buderi provided a wonderful account of the historical developments in the Research and Development (R& D) industry. A diverse range of details was presented for the period of time encompassing the early days when Germany's, Bayer developed and controlled (by patent) numerous chemical related products/processes through the period that gave birth to IBM's massive portfolio of patents and research literature. I was rather enlightened to find out that the German dye industry of the mid 1800's was considered to be the seed in which research and development methodology began to grow from. The author surmised during that point in time many chemist and other innovators were seeking new formulations of dyes to color (silk) garments. It was noted that the methodology was predominately trial and error but the evaluation of formulation failures spurred further use of a methodical approach to development of new dyes and other byproducts. Specifically, individuals utilized many different elements and plants in their attempt to create a better lasting and/or new colored dye. As an indirect result, from the widespread efforts, useful chemicals were discovered, thereby giving rise to the pharmaceutical industry. It was the culmination of these events relating to the German dye industry that indirectly gave birth to the R & D industry of today.
Throughout the book fascinating details were revealed about the organizations and scientists that were instrumental in development of landmark technological innovations in R & D. For instance, there were several European companies like BASF and AGFA that developed chemical based products as a result of their pursuit of developing dyes. As mentioned earlier, Bayer was one of the prominent companies, which is known today for its aspirin and photographical products. A myriad of accounts from a variety of R & D leaders were given, a few, detailing the management decisions and strategies involving the early pioneers like Germany's Adolf Baeyer and several of IBM's notable research leaders Ralph Gomory and Thomas Watson. Information was given and the circumstances that contributed to the scientific advancements of other U.S led organizations like Bell Labs (AT&T); General Electric, Xerox, and General Motors; were discussed.
The discussion also related the economic, scientific, and strategic environment of the 1850's to the late 1990's to the R & D industry. Numerous highlights on the reasoning behind the creation and operations of the now famous global R & D labs were discussed. The author provided adequate information by devoting a chapter for discussing Intel; and Microsoft and devoting several chapters for the early organizational pioneers of R&D like IBM; Siemens; NEC; GE; BellLabs (AT&T); Xerox. The later chapters focused on Intel and Microsoft and their current undertakings in R & D. This provided a lead to the future of R&D as well as a contrasting approach of past economic and scientific innovations.
Overall, a comprehensive and interesting background was given. The historical facts were overwhelming but quite intriguing because the author maintained a dynamic pace. He continually alternated and elaborated on historical events, descriptions of industry leaders management philosophies, and discussing the details of significant innovations in the Research and Development Field. The historical information was very comprehensive and gives the reader a foundation and appreciation of the challenges that the past and present scientific and technological companies have and will face. On a practical note, the description about the past decisions made by the leaders offers lessons for the future.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful; Fantastic
Review: Engines of Tomorrow by Robert Buderi provided a wonderful account of the historical developments in the Research and Development (R& D) industry. A diverse range of details was presented for the period of time encompassing the early days when Germany's, Bayer developed and controlled (by patent) numerous chemical related products/processes through the period that gave birth to IBM's massive portfolio of patents and research literature. I was rather enlightened to find out that the German dye industry of the mid 1800's was considered to be the seed in which research and development methodology began to grow from. The author surmised during that point in time many chemist and other innovators were seeking new formulations of dyes to color (silk) garments. It was noted that the methodology was predominately trial and error but the evaluation of formulation failures spurred further use of a methodical approach to development of new dyes and other byproducts. Specifically, individuals utilized many different elements and plants in their attempt to create a better lasting and/or new colored dye. As an indirect result, from the widespread efforts, useful chemicals were discovered, thereby giving rise to the pharmaceutical industry. It was the culmination of these events relating to the German dye industry that indirectly gave birth to the R & D industry of today.
Throughout the book fascinating details were revealed about the organizations and scientists that were instrumental in development of landmark technological innovations in R & D. For instance, there were several European companies like BASF and AGFA that developed chemical based products as a result of their pursuit of developing dyes. As mentioned earlier, Bayer was one of the prominent companies, which is known today for its aspirin and photographical products. A myriad of accounts from a variety of R & D leaders were given, a few, detailing the management decisions and strategies involving the early pioneers like Germany's Adolf Baeyer and several of IBM's notable research leaders Ralph Gomory and Thomas Watson. Information was given and the circumstances that contributed to the scientific advancements of other U.S led organizations like Bell Labs (AT&T); General Electric, Xerox, and General Motors; were discussed.
The discussion also related the economic, scientific, and strategic environment of the 1850's to the late 1990's to the R & D industry. Numerous highlights on the reasoning behind the creation and operations of the now famous global R & D labs were discussed. The author provided adequate information by devoting a chapter for discussing Intel; and Microsoft and devoting several chapters for the early organizational pioneers of R&D like IBM; Siemens; NEC; GE; BellLabs (AT&T); Xerox. The later chapters focused on Intel and Microsoft and their current undertakings in R & D. This provided a lead to the future of R&D as well as a contrasting approach of past economic and scientific innovations.
Overall, a comprehensive and interesting background was given. The historical facts were overwhelming but quite intriguing because the author maintained a dynamic pace. He continually alternated and elaborated on historical events, descriptions of industry leaders management philosophies, and discussing the details of significant innovations in the Research and Development Field. The historical information was very comprehensive and gives the reader a foundation and appreciation of the challenges that the past and present scientific and technological companies have and will face. On a practical note, the description about the past decisions made by the leaders offers lessons for the future.
Rating:
Summary: An Ominous look into the heart of successful companies
Review: Engines was an easy and informative read. The author has really captured the essence of technology (where it has been and where it is going). A must read for anyone interested in the history and future of technology!
Rating: 
Summary: I wanted more
Review: I was very excited to get this book because I was antcipating a more global view of future research centers. What I found was a book that spent a lot of time reviewing the past and the research practices done then. Fortunately, towards the end of the book, I learned some interesting facts about how companies are preparing for tomorrow with their research arms. But I was none-the-less disappointed with the lack of substance on the research to come in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful!
Review: Robert Buderi has produced a work of impressive detail - a thoroughly documented account of the workings of the world's leading research labs. The book carefully follows the financial swings of the R&D effort, and closely examines the increasing pressure on researchers to turn a quick buck. The history of this critical economic component is probably unknown to most readers, and Buderi tells an engrossing tale. The book's one inescapable shortcoming, however, is the fact that Buderi finishes his story without a mention of the vast innovation currently sprouting from sources far afield of the Fortune 500. In addition, little mention is made of what makes some research efforts flourish while others fade. Nevertheless, we at getAbstract highly recommend Engines of Tomorrow as a book that rises beyond a simple corporate history to a study in human innovation.
Rating:
Summary: Informative, exceptionally well presented, reader friendly.
Review: Robert Buderi's Engines Of Tomorrow tells how companies are using research labs to make discoveries which drive their businesses and industries. Buderi shows how companies encouraging research in communications, electronics and computer science are propelling their industries into the 21st century, providing chapters which document trends and studies.
Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: The author has done a good job in giving a glimpse of people, their academic and Industrial background, who nurtured R&D of NEC, Siemens, IBM, GE, Intel and Microsoft...The author has interviewed a wide spectrum of people involved in cutting edge R&D in these companies...be it pepople from GE securing 5 patents per annum or Noble Laureats taking charge of the R&D labs of the above mentioned Companies...
Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: The author has done a good job in giving a glimpse of people, their academic and Industrial background, who nurtured R&D of NEC, Siemens, IBM, GE, Intel and Microsoft...The author has interviewed a wide spectrum of people involved in cutting edge R&D in these companies...be it pepople from GE securing 5 patents per annum or Noble Laureats taking charge of the R&D labs of the above mentioned Companies...
Rating:
Summary: Origins, Attitudes, and Personalities of Research
Review: This book provides a fascinating overview of the emergence and evolution of research as a method for creating new products. The opening chapter describes the beneficial effects of research on companies and countries. It is very interesting to see that the debates over the roles of pure and applied research began almost as soon as research laboratories were formed. The second chapter describes how chemists' searching for new cloth dyes created a wide variety of new industries -- dyes, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The rest of the chapters are devoted to the history and projects of major research labs like those at Bell, IBM, Seimens, HP, Microsoft, and Intel. Fascinating read for everyone involved in the business of research.
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