Acknowledging the past greats and encouraging the next generation of inventors

Another great article by Kevin Morris.  For those not familiar with Kevin, he is editor of FPGA Journal (amongst a range of other technical publications) and he writes of the US 2009 Inventors Hall of Fame.  Read his latest article at http://www.fpgajournal.com/articles_2009/20090505_giants.htm

Inspires thought on what the world would be without those that push us forward.

We do have a responsibility to acknowledge greatness. The heros that selflessly push us into new territory, creating something new that did not exist before. Interesting that we then spend so much time in the incremental improvements after such significant milestone breakthroughs.

I do concur with Carver Mead. We need to do more to encourage the next generation of inventors, and to help ignite R&D investment and creativity. We need to fill the heads of children with the wonder of what can be, to see their study today as the means to impact positively on the world tomorrow.

Reminds me of a favorite quote of mine: “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” by George Bernard Shaw.

As a footnote to teaching the next generation, we also need to teach bloody mindedness and resilience as a requirement in delivering breakthrough!

6 Replies to “Acknowledging the past greats and encouraging the next generation of inventors”

  1. Emma,

    I completely agree. At Agere Systems we often referred to the Winston Churchill quote: “Kites rise highest against the wind not with it”

  2. I enjoy reading your blogs and your ideas. I have to ask though, given your departure from Altium what does this mean for the brave new vision? I surmise that you must have left over some disagreement about strategy….

  3. Thanks for you feedback and your question.

    Rest assured the DNA around helping all engineers deliver the next generation of electronic products is very strong at Altium. And there is a great team in place there, many of whom I have hired, developed or promoted, who can and will deliver on the vision.

    My leaving was not about the goals Altium were chasing nor the overall business strategy. Nor anything to do with my love of the company or the great team in place.

    It was certainly a tough decision of mine to leave, but I felt after 5 years it was time for me to find a new challenge and be free to lead and develop an organization and people in the way that I would like to.

    There is so much to do and so many ways to impact the world positively.

    However my support of Altium remains, and as a shareholder, I have a vested interest to ensure the company’s ongoing success.

  4. Ha. Thanks for sharing & typical of you Phil to find the next big opportunity :-).

    Well what can I say? The Big Emma is right! (Although trying to change that with exercise!)

    Travel is definitely appealing…

    Not sure that is exactly the right vehicle….

    Phil, you’re not in the new job of career coaching are you?

  5. Well Emma, I was thinking “big” in terms of personality, heart and presence. If you’re worried about anything else, just stand next to me and the relative perspective would be most favourable to your fine and wonderfully feminine form;-)

    As for coaching, I do it every day and am happy to help anyone acheive their full potential but I guess that’s not what you meant 😉

    Luv an kisses.

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