"Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration."
— Thomas Edison

January 1, 1970

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Engineers from the United StatesAcademics from the United StatesPeople from OhioInventorsElectrical engineers
Original Language: English

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Variants: — None of my inventions came by accident. I see a worthwhile need to be met and I make trial after trial until it comes. What it boils down to is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. — Statement in a press conference (1929), as quoted in Uncommon Friends: Life with Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel & Charles Lindbergh (1987) by James D. Newton, p. 24. — Variant forms without early citation: "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety