You will never stub your toe standing still. The faster you go, the more chance there is of stubbing your toe, but the more chance you have of getting somewhere.
Charles KetteringRead
People think of the inventor as a screwball, but no one ever asks the inventor what he thinks of other people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Inventors are often seen as eccentric, but they have their own perspectives on society.
This quote emphasizes the often misunderstood nature of inventors and creative thinkers. While society tends to label them as odd or eccentric, it is essential to recognize that they hold unique insights and opinions about the world and the people around them, often shaped by their imaginative and innovative processes.
Themes
InventorEccentricityPerspectiveCreativitySociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar on innovation, to illustrate the challenges faced by inventors.
More from Charles Kettering
All quotes βIt is the 'follow through' that makes the great difference between ultimate success and failure, because it is so easy to stop.
Charles KetteringRead
When I was research head of General Motors and wanted a problem solved, I'd place a table outside the meeting room with a sign: "Leave slide rules here." If I didn't do that, I'd find someone reaching for his slide rule. Then he'd be on his feet saying, "Boss, you can't do it."
Charles KetteringRead
A research problem is not solved by apparatus; it is solved in a man's head.
Charles KetteringRead
My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.
Charles KetteringRead
I often say that research is a way of finding out what you are going to do when you can't keep on doing what you are doing now.
Charles KetteringRead
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