The Kettering Foundation is an operating foundation rooted in the American tradition of inventive research. Its founder, Charles F. Kettering, holder of more than 200 patents, is best known for his invention of the automobile self-starter. He was interested, above all, in seeking practical answers to “the problems behind the problems”. Established in 1927, the Foundation today continues in that tradition. The object of the research now is to find out what makes democracy work as it should.