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About this quote

What does it mean?
People try new things more when there are no serious consequences, which is why many inventions began as toys.
In plain terms
You experiment more when nothing bad happens, so toys often become important inventions.
What can you take from it?
Use low-stakes environments to encourage innovation.

Where it applies

  • product development
  • education
  • research

Putting it to work

  • sandbox environments
  • prototyping
  • gamification

Questions to consider

  • How do you create safe spaces to experiment?
  • What serious work started as a toy?

Another view

Not all play leads to meaningful innovation.

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