The belief that great ideas arise from unexpected brain farts is widely embraced, yet rarely true.  The legend about Isaac Newton and the apple is probably to blame.  Surely you’ve heard it.  Isaac is sitting under an apple tree, pondering the true meaning and purpose of life, when without warning a piece of falling fruit strikes him in the head.  Instead of ordering a Redd’s Apple Ale, he discovers gravity.  History provides no clues as to whether he called out “Eureka!” or “#$@&*!”

The ancient Greek word “Eureka”, which translates to “I have found it!” was allegedly shouted by Archimedes as he climbed into the bathtub and observed the water rising.  This profound experience led him to a method for measuring the volume of irregularly shaped objects, a discovery so thrilling that he leapt out of the tub and ran through the streets au naturel.  To this day, the words “genius” and “eccentric” remain inseparable.

Fortunately for ensuing generations, the iconic image of a brilliant idea is not a naked Archimedes, but rather the familiar overhead light bulb, representing the “Eureka Moment” when the fog clears and clarity rushes in.  This feels appropriate, in light of the fact that one of history’s great geniuses, Thomas Alva Edison, is routinely credited with the invention of said bulb. <continue reading>