I think it's remarkable how much times have changed.
In the early days of particle physics these sorts of meson particles were being discovered seemingly every week.
At one point a new one was discovered and an exasperated theorist said "Who ordered that?!"
Now thank's to a Murray Gell Mann (who deserves to be at least as well known as his neighbour Dick Feynmann ) we understand the combinations and it was just a matter of time before someone actually saw this one.
As for what use this is - well this is fundamental research - it's about understanding how the universe is constructed - you might ask what use it is that we know that the Universe is not just a few local stars - you might ask what use there is in teaching History.
But someone else once asked "what use it is?" he was a British Prime Minister being shown a wire spinning in a dish of Mercury.
It was the first electric motor and the scientist showing it was Michael Faraday
His response? "I have no idea sir but feel certain one day you will tax it"
If you're interested it looked like this
http://www.sparkmuseu...s/19th-century/92.jpg