Scientific and technological progress is one of the most important and ambitious endeavors of humanity throughout history. One of the hallmarks of any great society is the new or improved knowledge of the world and how it works that society can provide. A strong, dynamic culture celebrates the spirit of invention and innovation. Closely related to this concept is entrepreneurship, considered one of the greatest qualities of American culture. Americans praise the success of the inventor and the seller; although the greatest self-promoters are best remembered, the greatest minds are never truly forgotten. It is in American society that the ideals of invention and innovation coexist interdependently with the ideals of self-reliance and business savvy in a unique balance. Thomas Edison is widely considered one of the most influential inventors and innovators of the 20th century. Edison's efforts marked the beginning of a new technological era; a world in which electricity would be exploited and subject to the will of man. Walter Lippman wrote, “It is impossible to measure Edison's importance by adding up the specific inventions with which his name is associated” (qtd. in Baldwin 409). Edison's career, which spanned several decades, was a synergistic fusion of his success as an inventor and his prowess as a promoter and businessman. He embodied the ideals of intelligence combined with hard work and perseverance. It forever changed the landscape of American invention and the limits of technological change (Baldwin 409). Edison's view of invention as a process shaped much of his approach to business. For Edison, it was never enough to simply develop and perfect a concept or idea; he constantly drove it...... middle of paper...... users like Tesla and Ritchie to discover the way and show the way, but he also needs visionary men like Edison and Jobs who can lead the way and build the road. Works Cited Millard, AJ Edison and the business of innovation. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins UniversityPress, 1990. Print. Baldwin, Neil. Edison: Inventing the century. New York: Hyperion, 1995. Print. Carlson, WB “Inventor of Dreams”. Scientific American March 2005: 78-85. ProQuest. Internet. November 9, 2011. Mearian, Lucas. “Dennis Ritchie and Steve Jobs: quite a juxtaposition.” Tell the truth. By ComputerWorld. October 13, 2011. the web. November 12, 2011. Sorensen, Chris, Michael Friscolanti and Jason Kirby. “Think differently”. Maclean's October 24, 2011: 32-. ProQuest. November 14, 2011. Kingston, Anne. “The computer as modern art”. Maclean's, October 24, 2011: 32-. ProQuest.November 14. 2011 .