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It has been just so in all my inventions. The first step is an intuition-and comes with a burst, then difficulties arise. This thing that gives out and then that-"Bugs"as such little faults and difficulties are called show themselves and months of anxious watching, study and labor are requisite before commercial success-or failure-is certainly reached.
Thomas A. Edison
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Innovation often begins with a sudden insight but requires persistence to navigate challenges.

Thomas A. Edison highlights the dual nature of inventing: the initial spark of inspiration is quickly followed by numerous challenges and setbacks that must be overcome. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and dedication in transforming an idea into a successful commercial product, acknowledging that the journey is filled with both excitement and obstacles that demand careful attention and hard work.

Themes

InnovationPerseveranceSuccessInventionChallenges

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about entrepreneurial spirit.

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Keep on the lookout for novel ideas that others have used successfully. Your idea has to be original only in its adaptation to the problem you're working on.
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I didn't fail 1000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1000 steps.
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There is no substitute for hard work.
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Quote by Thomas A. Edison | QuoteProject