We take a lot of products and technology for granted, like bar codes, compact discs, even cruise control on cars. These products and hundreds of others would not exist if not for a non-profit whose name few people are familiar with. It's called Battelle Memorial Institute. It's one of the world's largest independent research and development groups. It's based in Central Ohio. Niala Boodhoo of the Midwest reporting project Changing Gears takes us to Columbus to a place where hundreds of companies go for R&D.
And today's last word in business retail convergence. The worlds of cyber consumption and real shopping are coming together.
LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:
Many brick-and-mortar retailers have tried to sell on the Web. And now one of the biggest e-commerce companies is setting up a brick-and-mortar store - if only a temporary one.
Linda Wertheimer talks to NPR's Cokie Roberts about fallout from the anticipated failure of the congressional bipartisan committee to reach an agreement to cut the deficit.
Oil prices briefly rose above $100 a barrel last week on news of a pipeline deal that would cut a glut of U.S. inventories. Prices have dipped since then, but not enough to soften historic highs for diesel or home heating oil.