been

and Appropriate Technology," with a footnote explaining that "science" did not mean only "materialist science."
Now, what might "non-materialist science" be? Alex wondered. Plasma physics?
"Here it is." Bob pointed. "I'll be damned. It's still in the same old spot. Henry Crown Space Center. What does it say in the description?" He bent closer. "This exhibit has been preserved as it was in the past as an example of Big Technology. Astonishing as it may seem, billions of dollars were once spent in outer space rather than here on Earth. See the actual capsules that were used to give a few military pilots joyrides at taxpayer expense."
"I don't understand, Bob," Alex said. "How could they spend money in space? There were no stores there back in those days."
"That's not what they meant, Gabe," Bob replied.
Thor spoke gently. "They meant that the money was spent on the space program rather than on Earthly problems."
Sherrine burst out, "They got so much from the space program! Fireproofing. Weather forecasting. Dammit, these"-—she kicked Alex's wheelchair-—" lightweight wheelchairs we're pushing around. Sorry."
Alex started to laugh. Sherrine said, "Sorry. My God, it's been so long since I could say this kind of thing!"
"Did these chairs really-—"
"Waste-water treatments. Medical instruments. Most people had no idea that any of that came out of the space program. Or for that matter, that it even existed. A new design lightweight wheelchair doesn't make the kind of headlines that a scrubbed launch or a flawed mirror makes, even if the structural analysis techniques and composite materials used to make the damn thing were aerospace from the beginning. What is everyone grinning at?"
"Welcome back," Steve said.
"Thanks. Oh, Bob, there was nobody to talk to."
Steve said, "All that stuff was just 'spin-off,' you know. Science happens because one day a scientist wakes up and says, 'Today I'm going to invent toothpaste.' If he didn't plan to invent a better wheelchair, he can't take credit for it."
"Come on," said Bob. "We're wasting time here. Let's get back to the Crown Center."
He led them through several exhibits on the way to the back room where