During all those years of experimentation and research, I never once made a discovery. All my work was deductive, and the results I achieved were those of invention, pure and simple.
Meaning
In an 1890 Harper's interview, Edison explained that he built theories and worked them through until they failed, discarding them one by one. Apply this by testing ideas in small steps, recording what failed, and treating each failure as ordinary progress instead of a verdict on you.
Source: Talks with Edison, Harper's Magazine (1890)
About the author
(1847–1931) was an American inventor and businessman who developed many important devices, including the electric light bulb and phonograph. He held over 1,000 patents and played a key role in industrial innovation. Edison’s work transformed technology and daily life. His persistence and creativity made him a symbol of invention. Thomas Edison’s legacy continues to influence science and industry.
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