169 The perpetual plastic
169 永久塑料
There was a scientist, an inventor of plastics, who received permission from the personnel department of his laboratory to invent a permeable plastic.
有一个专搞塑料发明的科学家得到其实验室的人事部门的许可，力图发明一种有渗透性的塑料。
He persevered in his efforts day after day. It was his personality to persist, you see.
他日复一日不屈不挠地做这项工作。从这一点可以看出，他性格中最大的特点就是坚持不懈。
Careful to avoid pernicious odors, he examined the perplexing problem of the perpendicular molecular crystal structures, and after much perseverance, persistence, and perspiration, finally produced a plastic that he called the Perpetual Plastic.
研究过程中，他必须小心翼翼地避免有害气体，还要仔细观察一个令人困惑的问题——垂直分子晶体的构成。经过一段时间坚定不移的持续努力，付出了无数汗水之后，他最终生产出一种他称之为永久塑料的东西。
He named it this because of its permanent qualities.
他把这种塑料命名为永久塑料是因为其优良品质能长久保存。
One day, the scientist was called to a court of law to face charges of patent violation.
一天，这位科学家被传出席法庭，因为有人控告他违反了专利法。
In the court room, the judge questioned the scientist saying,
法庭里，法官询问这位科学家：
Under the threat of perjury, I ask you whether you have perpetrated the crime of fraud.
我问你的话你必须如实回答，不能发假誓。我问你是否犯了欺诈罪？
The scientist perspired under pressure and gave a persuasive argument saying,
由于压力很大，科学家浑身都出汗了，但他仍颇具说服力地说道：
If it is permissible by the court, I would like to explain my perspective on this matter.
如果法庭允许，我将解释我对这件事的观点。
My invention is truly perpetual because of its permanent qualities.
我发明的塑料绝对是永久性的，因为它的品质是永恒不变的。
It is permanent because common substances like air and water can permeate, but only very slowly.
虽然空气和水之类的物质可以透过，但其渗透过程非常缓慢，
Therefore, this plastic can perpetuate the preservation of perishable items such as food.
因此，这种塑料就可以永远保存诸如食物之类的易腐物质。
The judge, though somewhat perplexed, expressed a permissive attitude and said, You have persuaded me.
尽管法官有些迷惑，但还是流露出一种宽容的态度，他说：你已经说服我了。
The scientist was acquitted of the charges. Now his invention is popularly being used for containers of food products around the world.
最后，科学家被宣告无罪释放了。如今他的发明用来作为食品的包装材料，并在世界各地广泛采用。