Many a great invention to increase human comfort and happiness would be given to the world, if inventors were given that encouragement and protection which their genius, industry and usefulness deserve.
[ CHAPTER 30
The Successful Inventor]
One has indeed to be more than ordinarily gifted, and most carefully trained in many directions, spiritual, mental and physical, to be a successful inventor. To improve by one's own ability and efforts the results of any phase of human activities; to conceive, execute and adopt and introduce a new and improved method for the carrying out of certain human exertions without infringing upon, or appropriating the efforts of others; to secure a fair and just share of its benefits, to be translated to higher planes of life, without becoming over-conscious of it; to be called to the management of affairs involving the interests, and welfare of others; to be able to do so, not only profitably, but in a manner to gain, hold and preserve the esteem of our fellow-beings, is indeed a creditable achievement. Well worth the ambition of every high-minded person extraordinarily gifted. It requires the proverbial wisdom of an owl, the cunning of a fox, and the courage and strength of a lion.
If the true history of all the pre-eminent inventors should be written, it would be a record of "Making" the most of oneself, painstaking labor, and of constant devotion to duty, of as brave and as true men as ever wore brass buttons and gold lace; who, without martial glamour and loud acclaim, quietly solve and overcome great difficulties, against discouraging odds, and attain good results.
[ CHAPTER 31
Comparative Treatment the World Accords to Them, and Summary]
The world pays no heed to the efforts and struggles of such men, often neglects to reward their good achievements, yet it never fails to avail itself of their benefits.
The Monetary reward meted out by the world to even the most successful inventors is insignificant, compared to the benefits bestowed upon it by the beneficiary of its gratitude.
The world is full of monuments and statues to them who have or have tried to benefit it by destruction and slaughter, and by the making of widows and orphans, but one would have to use "Diogenes' Candle," to find the monuments to them who have benefited the world, by giving it untold wealth and happiness, without sorrow or suffering, except to themselves, through scientific and mechanical research and invention.
The feeling of having benefited our fellows, of having helped to improve the world for others, as others have done for us, the sweet consciousness of having given the world "What was best in us," is the true and only adequate reward to him who has given his best efforts to lighten human burdens and increase their happiness.