Half of what we know is wrong, the purpose of science is to determine which half.
Arthur KornbergRead
As in biomedical science, pioneering industrial inventions have not been mothered by necessity. Rather, inventions for which there was no commercial use only later became the commercial airplanes, xerography and lasers on which modern society depends.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Innovation often arises without immediate necessity, leading to breakthroughs that become essential in society.
Arthur Kornberg emphasizes that significant industrial inventions frequently emerge from creativity rather than pressing needs. Technologies like commercial airplanes, xerography, and lasers initially did not serve a clear purpose but eventually became crucial components of modern society, showcasing how visionary ideas can transform into indispensable tools over time.
Themes
InnovationInventionScienceTechnologyNecessity
In practice
Example use cases
During a science conference, this quote can be used to inspire inventors and entrepreneurs about the importance of creativity.
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All quotes →No matter how counter-intuitive it may seem, basic research has proven over and over to be the lifeline of practical advances in medicine.
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