The Tribulations of the Inventor

Abstract

In this brilliant speech, Pierre-Gilles De Gennes focuses on one of his preferred topics: the tough life of those whose imagination and sensitivity produced some of the most important exploits in science and technology. The story of an invention is always characterized by hard times, incomprehension and sometimes loneliness. It is bright acknowledgment of human reason at work. De Gennes provides some intriguing examples of how the flash of genius eventually succeeds, but also demolishes some common cliché.

Keywords

• progress of science
• innovation
• inventor