Are There any Truths, in Some of Those Rumors?

I have been reading the comments to Patch's question concerning AMEREN (formerly Union Electric), with a whimsical degree  of remembrances. Most of us in our passing through life hear things, many don't merit us remembering. '

Sometimes though in our later life some of these things manage to reenter our consciousness a little stronger. This is what just happened to me while reading these comments, I recall hearing about inventions that were invented many, many years ago by visionaries. Most of us have probably heard about some of these inventions, and how they were bought up by rich capitalists. The way it has been told, this was done in order to continue the maximum flow of profits. Of course profits are the bottom line of our country and nothing is wrong if they are made in and honest (this word can be interpreted in different ways but for this discussion since a public utility is being discussed let's just say the citizens using the service should get the best service for the least amount of money). Now let's get back to rumors I have heard, for over 50 years, about air conditioners that virtually use no electricity that were bought by UE and locked up by them.

Furnaces, engines, and many other inventions either being bought or extorted from the inventors to the detriment of the public but the benefit of PROFITS. I CANNOT ATTEST TO THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THESE RUMORS, but lets suppose that just ONE is true, where would we be. I can hear the naysayers now, but forty years ago, WHERE WAS THE INTERNET, CELL PHONE, ETC? Just a thought!!!!!!!