Trial and Error

Thomas Edison and his team at the “invention factory” in Menlo Park tested more than 6,000 plant materials before landing on carbonized bamboo as the material of choice for the incandescent light bulb’s filament.

If they would have dwelled in defeat after each test, they never would have persevered.

Rather, Edison and team knew that failure was part of the process. As Edison said, “I haven’t failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that don’t work.”

Innovation is iteration, so be sure to make space for trial and error.

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