I was intrigued to learn about the “Edison of Our Age,” who passed away recently at the age of 89.
I had never before heard the name Stanford Ovshinsky – inventor of nickel-metal hybrid battery, amorphous (disordered) semiconductor materials as well as many other discoveries.
By my count, Mr. Ovshinsky held 440 US and 82 European patents. He received his first patent US2619709 for a “Machine Tool” in 1952 and fifty years later he has already received nine U.S. patents this year. Indeed, a prolific inventor!
The most incredible aspect of Mr. Ovshinsky’s history is that he never went to college. From high school on, he was self-taught. Indeed, a self-motivated inventor!
This made me wonder what lessons Mr. Ovshinsky’s story can teach us.
I propose the following: go to college but realize that there is a small amount of opportunity to be successful without a degree, follow your passion and finally that we should be aware of the other “Einsteins” in our midst.
Photo credit: Joi Ito (Wikimedia)
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