My Inventions

The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on

invention. It is the most important product of his creative brain. Its

ultimate purpose is the complete mastery of mind over the material

world, the harnessing of the forces of nature to human needs. This

is the difficult task of the inventor who is often misunderstood and

unrewarded. But he finds ample compensation in the pleasing

exercises of his powers and in the knowledge of being one of that

exceptionally privileged class without whom the race would have

long ago perished in the bitter struggle against pitiless elements.

Speaking for myself, I have already had more than my full measure

of this exquisite enjoyment, so much that for many years my life was

little short of continuous rapture. I am credited with being one of

the hardest workers and perhaps I am, if thought is the equivalent

of labor, for I have devoted to it almost all of my waking hours. But

if work is interpreted to be a definite performance in a specified

time according to a rigid rule, then I may be the worst of idlers.

Every effort under compulsion demands a sacrifice of life-energy. I

never paid such a price. On the contrary, I have thrived on my

thoughts.