The Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research began as the scientific dream of its founder, Thomas Baker Slick Jr. A businessman, inventor, oilman, rancher, engineer, philanthropist, peacemaker and adventurer, Tom Slick might best be described as a visionary. Motivated by the philosophy that the welfare of mankind could best be advanced through scientific endeavor, he dared to imagine a city of science in South Texas that could be a great center for human progress through scientific research. Although at the time many people believed his grand ideas were impractical, he succeeded in establishing three premier scientific research organizations that continue to carry out his vision: the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, Southwest Research Institute, and the Mind Science Foundation.