Many instances of Research in industry is approached with only the final goal in mind. because of the confidentiality required in business, any discoveries are not reported on publicly further delaying gratification from the work done. In academia, however, researchers are often submitting publications throughout the investigation. this difference in prospective timelines can have effects on the environment, culture, and tone of research being done. so while you may prefer the big win of a completed project/product like Dr. Simon, in academia, research has the potential to secure more smaller ‘wins’.

I also agree with dag56 about academia research being done for the sake of attaining a solution to a problem. but i must add that sometimes research is simply curiosity about a process or mechanism. where as Industry research is approached to prove a particular so that the knowledge can be applied to a project.