SRI International - Definition and Overview

SRI International is one of the world's largest contract research institutions. It was founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946 by corporate interests in conjunction with Stanford University. Later it became fully independent and was incorporated as a non-profit organization under US and California laws.

In 1972, Dr. Hal Puthoff, a researcher at SRI, put forth a series of proposals to study quantum mechanics in life processes. This resulted in the now controversial remote viewing CIA programs that have been reportedly discontinued and declassified since. Douglas C. Engelbart, best known for inventing the computer mouse, and as a pioneer of human-computer interaction, is arguably SRI's most notable alumnus. SRI International researchers also developed the world's first and only all-magnetic digital computer (http://www.sri.com/about/timeline/allmagnetic-logic.html), based upon extensions to magnetic core memories.

In 1977, the Stanford Research Institute became known as SRI International, and formally separated from Stanford University. This was a belated response to anti-war student protesters who believed that SRI's DARPA-funded work was essentially making Stanford part of the military-industrial complex.

In the course of its work, SRI has been awarded more than 10,000 patents in engineering and technology. SRI International conducts research and development in many areas, both independently and for hire, and sells reports on independent research. Dr. Curtis Carlson is President and CEO of SRI International.

External links

• SRI International website (http://www.sri.com/)