Bell Labs was Good, What has happened to it is also good.
Google may be the new Bell Labs, but the original was truly remarkable.
I came across this tweet:
It’s a good question, especially when one considers:
The “Attention is all you need” paper which basically undergirds the AI movement.
Waymo which is revolutionizing driverless cars.
Google Search.
The Willow chip which makes quantum computing more of a reality than it has any business being.
Android.
The Tensor chip.
And the long gone, but still lamented Google Reader.
Those are all good, but the best part of the Tweet is that it reminds us about Bell Labs which was quite good.
Bell Labs has a long, storied history as a remarkable Petri dish for innovation. For years (decades!) new inventions were spun off, discoveries documented. All from a mandate from Ma Bell (AT&T) to improve, expand and iterate on its telephone network.
This was good:
I mean it’s where the transistor was invented! The transistor!
Anyway, out of all these good things we are going to focus on the environment that allowed for this wonderful building and all the good that came out of it.
Central to Bell Labs' success was its culture of intellectual curiosity and freedom. Researchers were unconstrained by short-term pressures (Bell Labs was funded through a 1% tax on Bell's overall revenue, as well as a claim on a portion of Western Electric's revenue, so yes, AT&T was able to recoup Bell Labs' expenses.)
Long-term thinking was deeply ingrained in Bell Labs' DNA. The lab's leaders understood that significant breakthroughs often take years, if not decades, to materialize. They were willing to invest in research projects with uncertain outcomes, recognizing that the potential rewards far outweighed the risks. This commitment to long-term vision allowed Bell Labs to consistently push the boundaries of technology.
Finally, Bell Labs placed a premium on attracting and retaining top talent. The lab's reputation for excellence drew some of the world's brightest minds, who were given the resources and freedom to pursue their passions. This emphasis on human capital was instrumental in driving innovation and ensuring the lab's continued success.
The enduring impact of Bell Labs can be seen in the numerous research labs that were modeled after it. Companies like IBM, Xerox, and Texas Instruments established their own research divisions, inspired by Bell Labs' culture of innovation and long-term thinking. While many of these labs have since evolved or declined, their legacy continues to shape the technological landscape.
However, the conditions that allowed Bell Labs to flourish are unlikely to be replicated in today's business environment. The unique combination of government-sanctioned monopoly, abundant resources, and a culture of patient, long-term investment is increasingly rare. Nevertheless, the lessons learned from Bell Labs remain relevant as do its original building.
By 2006 the Bell Labs completed was owned by Alcatel-Lucent and put up for sale. But preservation concerns and the site's designation as endangered made finding a buyer tough. Come 2013 Somerset Development acquired it envisioning a mixed-use space with offices, wellness centers, dining, and more.
Architect Alexander Gorlin modernized the space into "Bell Works," an urban hub in suburbia. And voila! Bell Works is a bustling center, hosting events, businesses, and community services, celebrated for its innovative redevelopment.