"It was at Bell Labs that I first made direct contact with real semiconductor experts and thus began to fully understand what amazing materials they were and what they could do"

This quote by Robert B. Laughlin talks to the importance of Bell Labs in his development as a researcher. It suggests that it was at Bell Labs that he was very first exposed to the world of semiconductors and the potential they held. Through his contact with the experts at Bell Labs, he had the ability to get a better understanding of the capabilities of these materials. This quote highlights the value of having access to specialists in the field, as it was through their guidance that Laughlin was able to get a much better understanding of the products he was working with. It likewise talks to the importance of Bell Labs in the development of semiconductor innovation, as it was through their research and guidance that Laughlin was able to acquire a better understanding of the products.