That attitude does not exist so much today, but in those days there was a very sharp distinction between basic physics and applied physics. Columbia did not deal with applied physics.

Edwin H. S. Apart from the dispute Gould had realized his hope to "be around" when the Brewster's angle window patent expired in May 2005.

He also fought with laser manufacturers in court battles to enforce the patents he subsequently did obtain. Gould is best known for his thirty-year fight with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to obtain patents for the laser and related technologies.