Indeed "The Idea Factory" is a very good book recommendation. In the conclusion of the book the author argues that the Howard Hughes Medical Institute[1] may b

Indeed "The Idea Factory" is a very good book recommendation. In the conclusion of the book the author argues that the Howard Hughes Medical Institute[1] may be the closest existing research organization to Bell Labs. While much smaller in size than Bell Labs it shares a focus on basic research and is well funded for the long haul. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Hughes_Medical_Institute http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Hughes_Medical_Institute