38. The Man of a Thousand Ideas

Just as a journey of a thousand miles must start with a single step, this man has taught us that many times the great inventions start with small ideas. And Edison lived in a world of ideas - he knew he was surrounded by thousands of things, everyone of which he felt he could improve. His only difficulties were that the days and nights were too short and there were not enough hands and minds to work on all the problems.

If he were living today, I am sure Thomas Edison would look around and say, "Let us not become egotists just because we have made some progress. There are many problems yet to be solved and it seems to me there are just about as many things to be done now as there were when I was a boy, but the opportunities are so much greater. So let's get to work." ●



Short Stories of Science and Invention A Collection of Radio Talks by Charles F. Kettering INDEX		*38.* *The Man of a Thousand Ideas* Just as a journey of a thousand miles must start with a single step, this man has taught us that many times the great inventions start with small ideas. And Edison lived in a world of ideas - he knew he was surrounded by thousands of things, everyone of which he felt he could improve. His only difficulties were that the days and nights were too short and there were not enough hands and minds to work on all the problems. If he were living today, I am sure Thomas Edison would look around and say, "Let us not become egotists just because we have made some progress. There are many problems yet to be solved and it seems to me there are just about as many things to be done now as there were when I was a boy, but the opportunities are so much greater. So let's get to work." ●