We also plotted the actors involved in these events to develop these system components over time.  This graph shows that the public sector played the major role during the initial periods of industry emergence beginning in 1955 and that private-sector actors did not become involved in cochlear-implant development until 22 years later in 1977.  However, when private firms became involved,  the number of events performed by both private and public sector actors increased dramatically.

 This graph demonstrates how government spending is analogous to the planting of seeds by farmers. This creates an environment where the private sector can harvest the corn.  Austerity by government now will stifle the innovation of the future.  

Nick Hanauer TED Talk  

Steve Blank Secret History of Silicon Valley