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About this quote

What does it mean?
Edison describes his process as identifying societal needs and creating solutions for them.
In plain terms
He looks at what people need and then builds inventions to help them.
What can you take from it?
Invent to solve real problems, not just for curiosity.

Where it applies

  • innovation
  • research
  • product design

Putting it to work

  • identify needs
  • build solutions
  • focus on utility

Questions to consider

  • What does the world need now?
  • How do you find problems to solve?

Another view

Not all inventions solve immediate needs; some are recreational or speculative.

More from Thomas Alva Edison

  1. Everyone steals in commerce and industry. I've stolen a lot, myself. But I know how to steal! They don't know how to steal!

    Permalink to quote #23
  2. We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything.

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.

    Permalink to quote #22

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