It’s What You Do With It

[290 words] Walter Hunt was great at making things. He just wasn’t good at doing something with what he made. In 1834, he inventing the first sewing machine but never filed a patent on it. Someone else did and made a fortune. He didn’t make that mistake again with the first fountain pen and first repeating rifle. However, he never turned them into viable products. Others did and made amazing profits. In 1849, after a few hours playing with a piece of wire be bent it into the shape that would become the safety pin. That idea would go on to be a million-dollar one. Just not for him. He sold the patent for $100, to make some quick cash. Such great ideas but he never capitalized on them. James warns his readers about this kind of behavior. Those that hear the word but don’t act on it. Those that…