Innovate Like Edison by Michael J. Gelb — Summary + Lessons for Relentless Founders
TL;DR Summary
Thomas Edison filed 1,093 patents — not because he was a lone genius, but because he built an innovation system. In Innovate Like Edison, Michael J. Gelb (plus Edison’s great-grandniece Sarah Caldicott) breaks down the method behind the madness. Spoiler: it’s less about lightning bolts of inspiration and more about grinding with style.
Big Ideas (with some voltage)
Innovation isn’t chaos — it’s a process – Edison treated ideas like experiments: test, tweak, test again.
Obsess with outcomes – He didn’t invent the lightbulb. He made it work. There’s a difference.
Collaborative creation > solo struggle – He built the first R&D lab. Think startup garage, but make it 1880.
Solve real problems, not hypothetical ones – Edison didn’t start with tech. He started with needs.
Stamina is a strategy – He called genius “1% inspiration, 99% perspiration” — and meant it.
Timeless Principles → Modern Upgrades
| Timeless Principle | Modern Upgrade |
|---|---|
| “Have a process for innovation” | Build a repeatable system, not just a killer idea |
| “Work in teams” | Scale your solo founder energy into a creative ecosystem |
| “Prototype fast” | MVP everything. Speed > perfection. |
| “Solve for need” | User pain = product market fit |
| “Stick with it” | Grit is still your best fundraising strategy |
Why It Matters for Young Entrepreneurs
Too many young founders think innovation = wild creativity. Edison proves it’s really disciplined experimentation. He ran his life like a product studio — testing hundreds of filaments for a lightbulb, organizing talent, and even managing public perception.
Gelb and Caldicott lay out Edison’s 5 Competencies of Innovation:
Solution-centered mindset
Kaleidoscopic thinking (idea remixing)
Full-spectrum engagement (heart + head)
Mastermind collaboration
Balance between boldness + resilience
This isn’t just motivational fluff — it’s a framework for turning ideas into actual IP.
3 Questions to Ask Yourself After Reading
Do I have a system for turning ideas into action — or just a Notes app graveyard?
Who’s in my “invention lab”? Do I collaborate or isolate?
Am I building for user obsession or product ego?
“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” — Thomas Edison
If You Liked This, Check Out:
[The Lean Startup by Eric Ries] – Build → Measure → Learn
[How to Fly a Horse by Kevin Ashton] – The myth of genius, the truth of work
