 What was Piltdon most interested in?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, August 1958. "As chief engineer you're not carrying the ball," Piltdon went on savagely. "The Piltdon Can-Opener is trailing the competition. "But Mr. Piltdon," remonstrated Feetch unsteadily under his employer's glare, "don't you remember? "But Mr. Piltdon—" "The Minerva Mighty Midget does it in four point two two and plays Home Sweet Home in chimes. Our own Piltdon opener barely manages to open a can in eight point nine without chimes. "But Mr. Piltdon, our opener still has stability, solidity. It has dignity...." "Dignity," pronounced Piltdon, "is for museums. I want it completely developed, engineered and tooled-up, ready for production. "But Mr. Piltdon, four months is hardly time enough for development, even with an adequate staff. "Excuses," sneered Mr. Piltdon. Piltdon trudged out of the room, leaving behind him an oppressive silence. A designer had to dream at his board, investigate, search, build, test, compare, discard. He had always wanted to devote all his time to research, but Piltdon Opener had not given him that opportunity. What had happened, to the proud dream he once had, the dream of exploring uncharted engineering regions, of unlimited time to investigate and develop? Ah, well, thought Feetch straightening his thin shoulders, he had managed somehow to design a few good things during his twenty-five years with Piltdon. Twenty-five years of your life you put in with Piltdon, and he'd fire you just like that if you don't do the impossible. The Piltdon Company is built upon your designs and you get handed this deal!" Piltdon is a household word, but who has heard of Feetch? "Piltdon ought to be rayed," he growled. "Hello," said Feetch as an aproned machinist entered carrying a glistening mechanism. "Spinach, I think," said Feetch. What motions can we plot in the area of disappearance and what are their analytical mathematical formulae? Several days later, however, Piltdon himself charged into the drawing room and slapped Feetch heartily on the back, causing him to break a pencil point. "Feetch!" roared Piltdon. After Piltdon had seen it his eyes took on a feverish glint. The Piltdon Super-Opener we'll call it." "Mr. Piltdon—" said Feetch shakily. Piltdon stared at his chief engineer sharply.
 Making money
 Making money  Being known around the world  Keeping Feetch on the payroll  Having more patents than anyone else