Research Catalog

Title

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

Author

Ashton, Kevin

Publication

New York : Doubleday, [2015]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xviii, 314 pages; 25 cm

Summary

• "Inspiring and empowering, this journey behind the scenes of humanity's greatest creations reveals the surprising way we make something new. What do Thomas Jefferson's ice cream recipe, Coca Cola, and Chanel No. 5 have in common? They all depended on a nineteenth-century African boy who, with a single pinch, solved one of nature's great riddles and gave birth to the multimillion-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 led 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"--
• "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"--

Subjects

• Success
• History
• Success > History
• Discoveries in science > History
• Creative ability > History
• Agriculturists > Réunion
• Albius, Edmond, 1829-1880
• Inventors, Black
• Creative thinking > History
• Inventions > History
• Inventors

Genre/Form

History.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

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.

Call Number

Sc E 17-602

ISBN

• 9780385538596
• 0385538596

LCCN

2014030841

OCLC

891324299

Author

Ashton, Kevin, author.

Title

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

Publisher

New York : Doubleday, [2015]

Edition

First edition.

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Connect to:

Cover image

Research Call Number

Sc E 17-602

JBE 15-117