According to experts, Edison’s most important invention wasn’t patentable, but it could benefit modern-day banks and insurers trying to reinvent their digital capabilities.
a process in which skilled scientists, machinists, designers, and others collaborated at a single facility to research, develop, and manufacture new technologies." Edison encouraged vigorous competition and the dissection of ideas; he encouraged taking them apart and analyzing them, constantly testing and retesting approaches until only the optimal solution passed muster. The diversity of teammates’ backgrounds ensured that less-than-ideal approaches were weeded out quickly. As new employees joined the lab, they were quickly enlisted to see what new thinking they might offer to the collective ideation.