It is the 'follow through' that makes the great difference between ultimate success and failure, because it is so easy to stop.

In many ways ideas are more important than people - they are much more permanent.

I don't want men of experience working for me. The experienced man is always telling me why something can't be done. The fellow who has not had any experience is so dumb he doesn't know a thing can't be done - and he goes ahead and does it.

Inventing is a combination of brains and materials. The more brains you use, the less material you need.

It is not a disgrace to fail. Failing is one of the greatest arts in the world.

Every honest researcher I know admits he's just a professional amateur. He's doing whatever he's doing for the first time. That makes him an amateur. He has sense enough to know that he's going to have a lot of trouble, so that makes him a professional.

When I was research head of General Motors and wanted a problem solved, I'd place a table outside the meeting room with a sign: "Leave slide rules here." If I didn't do that, I'd find someone reaching for his slide rule. Then he'd be on his feet saying, "Boss, you can't do it."