Bibliograph

How to fly a horse, the secret history of creation, invention, and discovery, Kevin Ashton

Type

Label

How to fly a horse, the secret history of creation, invention, and discovery, Kevin Ashton

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

How to fly a horse

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

891324299

Responsibility statement

Kevin Ashton

Sub title

the secret history of creation, invention, and discovery

Summary

"What do Thomas Jefferson's ice cream recipe, Coca Cola and Chanel No. 5 have in common? They all depended on a 19th century African boy who, with a single pinch, solved one of nature's great riddles and gave birth to the multi-million dollar vanilla industry. Kevin Ashton opens his book with the fascinating story of the young slave who launched a flavor revolution to show that invention and creation come in unexpected shapes and sizes. From the crystallographer's laboratory where the secrets of DNA were first revealed by a long forgotten woman, to the electromagnetic chamber where the stealth bomber was born on a 25 cent bet, Ashton weaves tales of humanity's greatest creations to unpack the surprising true process of discovery. Drawing on the Amish and the iPhone, Kandinsky and cans of Coke, Lockheed, South Park, and the Wright brothers--who set out to "fly a horse"--he showcases the seemingly unremarkable individuals, gradual steps, multiple failures, and countless ordinary--and usually uncredited--acts that lead to our most astounding breakthroughs. Creators, he shows, apply everyday, ordinary thinking that we are all capable of in particular ways, taking thousands of small steps, working in an endless loop of problem and solution. He explores why innovators meet resistance and how they overcome it, why most organizations stifle creative people and how the most creative organizations work. In a passionate and profound narrative that amazes and inspires, Ashton's book sheds new light on how "new" comes to be"--, Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

Creating Is ordinary -- Thinking is like walking -- Expect adversity -- How we see -- Where credit is due -- Chains of consequence -- The gas in your tank -- Creating organizations -- Good-bye, genius

Classification

Creator