One example of somewhat directed research which comes to mind is the desire for flight (and later, powered flight). It was about 2800 years after Homer’s tales of Daedalus and Icarus before humans had achieved flight, and soon after powered flight, despite the fact that flight had interested humans through the ages.

If a “directed” research project begins without the necessary technology already present, or at least the majority of the technology, such a project is likely to be a failure. Let basic research go on – it is the only way we slowly create new ideas with which we can build or discover things which we can only imagine – and things which we cannot imagine.

Another directed research which comes to mind (although funding has not always been forthcoming) is the development of a fusion reactor which can be exploited to generate heat continuously and in a controlled fashion. Perhaps such technology can be demonstrated in my lifetime – and perhaps someone in the future who is working on a different problem will find the answer.

In some sciences there may yet be an opportunity for discoveries which may transform the science into something we cannot imagine today. Just look at what started out with Darwin’s theories – if Darwin were to appear before us he would be confounded by the transformations and developments.