Pae: Does this ever actually happen? Or do we just become lax in our effort because a long lasting temporary solution?
I think we have more of a track record of coming up with solutions in "Or Else" situations. Generally, though, progress is significantly slower if it is not pressing. From what I have seen, investment is not made into new concepts on a grand scale because companies do not wish to take the risk and spend the money for R & D on an idea that is not really needed right at that moment.

Sometimes I wonder if federally funded research is the way to go in the "in-between" times when progress is not pressing.