Inspiration is not something that comes easily to everyone. Many people want to innovate and bring change to the world, but have trouble finding the motivation to keep going after some failures. It’s important to remember, however, that most of the world’s most famous inventors had trouble finding success at the start of their careers.
Below we’ve compiled information about a few of the most successful inventors and innovators from across the world. Check out some quotes from these individuals and find the inspiration you need to get back to work.
Benjamin Franklin
When covering the topic of famous innovators, you have to discuss one of the most well-known American inventors: Benjamin Franklin. As the inventor of the lightning rod, bifocals, and more, Franklin is one of the most influential people in American history. Even with his successes, he did have his failures, including his attempt to publish the first German language newspaper in the United States.
Franklin stated that we shouldn’t fear failure, since it is how we learn to improve. One of Franklin’s most famous quotes is, “Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.” People who want to innovate will make mistakes, and many are willing to give up when too many failures occur. Innovating is not easy, but as long as you keep at it you will find success, like Ben Franklin did.
Albert Einstein
As the physicist who created the theory of relativity and the mass–energy equivalence equation (E = mc2), the German-born Albert Einstein is another famous innovator to take notes from. One of his famous quotes is, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” As long as you are using your knowledge to solve the problems in front of you, you are being creative, and you will soon find the solutions you seek.
Here’s another good Einstein quote, “The difference between genius and stupidity is, genius has its limits.” Simply put, while it’s great to pursue knowledge, we cannot learn the meaning behind everything, and it is okay to work within the area you know. Meanwhile, there are no limits when you have a lack of knowledge, and this can be dangerous in many situations.
Understand your limits, and use what you know to solve problems to help others.
Ruth Handler
One of the world’s most famous innovators is Ruth Handler, a designer behind Barbie dolls. Thanks to her hard work, Barbie became one of the most popular toys in the world, and would go on to inspire millions of girls to follow their dreams. Handler went through many trials and tribulations to get where she did, and future innovators and inventors can learn from her experiences.
This is best summarized by this quote from her, “Don’t dwell on what happened, no matter how bad it was. Find something else to do. Find something to do to help others.” People who want to invent typically dwell on past failures, and feel that they lack the skills to innovate. If you’ve ever thought this, maybe you’re just working in the wrong area.
Try finding a new problem to solve, and work to create something that can help or inspire people.
Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell is a Scottish-born inventor who is most well-known for inventing the telephone. As the father of one of the most useful inventions on the planet, he is considered one of the most influential inventors of all time.
One of his most famous quotes is, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” You won’t find much success as an inventor if you don’t set aside a substantial amount of time preparing to create what you want.
Perhaps the best quote from him is, “When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” When one opportunity slips by, others will eventually appear, but sometimes we focus so much on the one we missed that we can’t see our new paths. Learn to move on, and grab onto those new opportunities before others take them.
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