Originally Posted by
aterpster
But, it isn't market place dynamics. Both of those devices were mandated by regulators.
They had to be invented and proven before they could be mandated. That said, C. Donald Bateman, the primary inventor of both GPWS and EGPWS (along with the patents underpinning both) was very much as much a safety advocate as he was an engineer. I remember an interview with him where he described the satisfaction he felt when GPWS started having an effect on CFITs, followed by disappointment that it couldn't cover all eventualities (due to technical limitations) - which spurred on his development of EGPWS as the technology improved.
Everything I've ever heard about the guy tells me that he is very much an engineer of the old-school, meaning that turning in a good product that could save lives was a bigger priority for him than the potential payday.
C. Donald Bateman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia