Introduction
Summary of the book How to Fly a Horse by Kevin Ashton. Let us start with a brief introduction of the book. Imagine holding a key that can open countless doors: hidden doorways to fresh ideas, new products, better solutions, and inspiring art. You might think such a key belongs to a special type of person—some secret genius with extraordinary talents. But what if that key was yours, right now, waiting patiently in your pocket? This book invites you to discover that creativity isn’t mystical or reserved for the elite. It’s a skill woven into the ordinary fabric of human thought. Within these pages, you’ll find stories and examples that show how great innovators, famous or unknown, solve problems through patience, steady effort, and open-minded curiosity. You’ll learn how to break down giant challenges into doable steps, embrace failures, team up with others, and look beyond your blind spots. Let these chapters inspire you to see that creativity’s power belongs to everyone, including you. Start exploring.
Chapter 1: Why the Myth of the Lone Genius Misleads Us and How Ordinary Minds Ignite Creative Sparks.
Imagine strolling through an art museum and standing in front of a masterpiece by Picasso or Rodin. Perhaps you stare at the strokes of color or the smooth curves of sculpted stone, thinking, I could never do that. Those people were geniuses, blessed with some secret gift. This common idea—the notion that creativity comes only from rare, special individuals—is everywhere. We whisper to ourselves that we are not clever enough, not born with the magic spark that turns a blank canvas into a timeless painting. Yet this belief, although popular, is misleading. Real creativity usually emerges from normal human brains doing ordinary thinking. In truth, what we often call genius is just the result of careful thought, slow trial and error, and countless attempts at solving a problem. Far from being supernatural or unachievable, creativity is a skill that every one of us can tap into.
One powerful example that challenges the genius myth is the famous story of Archimedes. He is often remembered as that ancient thinker who shouted Eureka! upon discovering how to test the purity of a gold crown by using water displacement. Many tell the tale as if a lightning bolt of inspiration struck him out of nowhere while he relaxed in his bath. The truth is far more grounded: Archimedes had been wrestling with this problem for quite a while. His insight was not a sudden miracle but rather a natural consequence of actively searching for a solution and considering various possibilities. He connected the rising and falling water level with a way to measure volume and density. This shows that eureka moments do not come from magic; they emerge from ordinary thinking processes that involve observing, questioning, and reflecting.
Modern psychology experiments confirm that everyday people can generate creative solutions through simple problem-solving steps. Consider a famous test known as the candle problem. A researcher gave participants a candle, a box of tacks, and some matches. Their task: attach the candle to a wooden door so it can burn without dripping wax on the floor. At first, many try obvious solutions—tacking the candle itself to the door or melting wax to stick it in place. But after some trial and error, most people eventually realize they can empty the box of tacks, pin it to the door, and place the candle inside. Every participant who solved it followed a similar path of thinking and discarding unworkable ideas. This experiment proves that creative problem-solving does not belong solely to geniuses. Ordinary thinkers, given time and effort, can discover inventive answers.
These insights gently remove the glittering aura we place around gifted individuals, showing that brilliance is not reserved for a chosen few. It’s not that people like Mozart or Einstein were born wearing a crown of creativity. Instead, they worked through ordinary mental steps—observing details, forming hypotheses, testing approaches—to generate their contributions. In every field, from art and music to engineering and entrepreneurship, creators are simply doing what all humans do: thinking deeply and attempting solutions until something works. Rather than believing we lack some magical gene, we can embrace the fact that creativity is accessible to everyone willing to engage their mind. This shift in perspective frees us from the chains of intimidation. We can approach problems as puzzles we are capable of solving, not as locked doors requiring a special key that most people never possess.
Chapter 2: Revealing the Hidden Layers of History’s Innovators Who Quietly Shaped Our Modern World.
When we picture famous inventors or artists, we often imagine them as lone, heroic figures changing the world in isolation. Reality tells a different story. Behind every remarkable invention, painting, or scientific breakthrough, countless forgotten contributors laid the groundwork. Creativity is never formed in a vacuum. Each idea we call new rests on previous ideas, some centuries old, passed down and transformed by ordinary people whose names never made it into textbooks. Just as a mighty tree grows from layered soil, watered by many unseen streams, our modern achievements blossom from countless ancestors who explored, tested, and refined old concepts. When we recognize that we stand on their shoulders, the entire notion of invention changes. It becomes a long, communal journey rather than a single, heroic leap by one extraordinary mind.
A perfect example is the story of a twelve-year-old boy named Edmund, born into slavery, who revolutionized the production of vanilla. Before his contribution, vanilla orchids grew only in certain places because humans couldn’t reliably pollinate them elsewhere. This laborious, uncertain process kept the world’s vanilla supply limited. But Edmund managed to hand-pollinate the orchids, enabling them to flower in entirely new environments. This miracle did not spring solely from his mind. He learned from his environment, from local botanists, and from the pioneering knowledge of naturalists like Conrad Sprengel, who had discovered that plants reproduce sexually. Without these building blocks—passed along by mentors and previous thinkers—Edmund’s achievement might never have bloomed. His breakthrough represents one link in a long chain of human curiosity and shared information.
Creativity’s chain can be seen everywhere. Consider the global journey of a product like Coca-Cola. Initially designed as a medicinal syrup sold in pharmacies, it gradually evolved as new people—advertisers, chemists, packaging engineers—introduced ideas. Eventually, it was bottled and canned, making it portable and accessible in distant lands. Soldiers in foreign wars could now enjoy a taste of home. But as each step solved certain problems, it uncovered new ones: the health issues related to sugar and caffeine, the environmental concerns of aluminum cans piling up in landfills. The chain of creativity is never static. Every solution leads to the next issue that needs addressing. This endless cycle of solving and encountering new challenges ensures that creativity remains a continuous journey rather than a finished destination.
This interconnectedness reminds us that we are heirs to a vast storehouse of knowledge left by nameless innovators. Our smartphones, for example, did not appear because of a single genius’s spark. They exist thanks to the tireless efforts of scientists, engineers, programmers, and designers whose innovations stack upon those who invented electric circuits, discovered how to miniaturize components, and pioneered user-friendly interfaces. Every modern invention is a layered tapestry woven from countless threads of past insights. By understanding this, we realize we are never truly alone when we create. We carry forward a legacy of ordinary women and men who dared to try something new. Their invisible hands guide us as we refine old solutions and push onward, adding our own voices to the ongoing conversation of human invention.
Chapter 3: How Tiny Steps and Gentle Nudges Lead Us Closer to Extraordinary Inventions.
When we think about innovative products, we often picture them as sudden miracles that appear overnight. But real creativity is less like a thunderbolt and more like a slow climb up a winding staircase. Instead of making giant leaps into the unknown, creators usually inch forward, refining one small detail at a time. Imagine the first telephones, large, clunky devices that barely transmitted scratchy voices. Over decades, engineers tackled one tiny issue after another—improving sound quality, making units lighter, extending battery life—until the sleek smartphone emerged. No single genius jumped straight from smoke signals to 5G connectivity. Rather, each improvement sprouted from the last, like steppingstones across a stream. This patient, step-by-step approach turns impossible dreams into achievable realities, showing that anyone who’s willing to make steady progress can unlock big changes.
Consider Steve Jobs and the creation of the iPhone. People might imagine he woke up one day, scribbled a magical design, and instantly had the perfect smartphone. In truth, the process involved carefully identifying one problem after another. Early smartphones had tiny keyboards that felt awkward and limiting. Jobs wondered, How can we remove this barrier? He tried to solve it with various pointers: a computer mouse for navigation, then a stylus. But a stylus could get lost easily, so he asked himself, What if we use fingers instead? Each question was small, each solution a single rung on a ladder. Through this series of incremental steps, the design came together, piece by piece. There was no explosive aha moment—just a persistent effort to solve problems and refine the device until it felt right.
One obstacle to seeing new possibilities is known as inattentional blindness. When we focus too narrowly on something familiar, we often fail to notice unusual but important details. Picture pedestrians staring at their phones while walking, missing the fact that a unicycling clown just rolled past them. This silly scenario actually happened in a study, and many people never realized the clown was there at all. In creativity, inattentional blindness can prevent us from spotting useful ideas hidden in plain sight. If our minds cling too tightly to old assumptions, we may never discover the clever solution lurking just outside our vision. To grow as innovators, we must train ourselves to look around, stay curious, and notice what others ignore.
Think of creativity as a puzzle. If you stare at the same piece over and over, you’ll miss the bigger picture. By slightly shifting your gaze or considering a different angle, you might see a missing piece that completes the pattern. As we learn to open our eyes wider, to welcome the unexpected, we discover that real creativity is within reach. It is not about making enormous leaps in one go. It’s about taking small, meaningful steps and keeping our senses alert. The next time you face a challenge—improving a design, composing a tune, or writing a story—try to break the problem down into small pieces. Ask questions, test answers, and don’t shy away from noticing odd but interesting details. Progress is made piece by piece, step by step.
Chapter 4: Embracing Sweat and Stumbles: How Hard Work and Failure Build Creative Triumphs.
There is a comforting myth that true creators never struggle, that they produce brilliant work effortlessly while sipping tea on a sunny balcony. In reality, creativity demands immense effort, discipline, and patience. The best artists, scientists, and inventors don’t wait for inspiration to strike like lightning; they sit down and get to work. The Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, for example, had a strict daily routine. Each morning, he played a Bach fugue to sharpen his mind. Then he spent long hours composing, orchestrating, and refining music. This relentless work ethic, not a sudden flash of genius, helped him shape the sound of twentieth-century music. Without committing to steady, focused effort, no one can transform raw ideas into masterpieces.
Hard work alone isn’t enough. You must also accept that you will fail—often and sometimes spectacularly. Failure is not a sign of weakness; it’s evidence that you are actually trying. Imagine the bestselling author Stephen King, who is known for his gripping horror novels. You might think his success means he writes perfect manuscripts every time. Yet King readily admits that he sometimes writes hundreds of pages and then throws them all away. He is willing to start over to find the right path. Each scrap of discarded work teaches him something. This willingness to embrace failure helps sharpen your creative instincts. It tells you when an approach isn’t working and encourages you to try something else.
Failure can sting, and rejection hurts. But these difficulties are valuable. Rejections from editors, audiences, or peers force us to reconsider our ideas and find ways to improve them. Think of each setback as a signpost pointing you toward a better route. If everyone praised every piece of work you produced, you’d never know where to make changes or how to refine your approach. Constructive failures push you forward, guiding you to problem areas you might not have noticed. Embracing them transforms frustration into fuel, reminding you that creation is a journey, not a one-time event.
Of course, ignoring failure’s lessons can be deadly—literally, in some cases. Consider Franz Reichelt, a tailor who tried to invent a wearable parachute suit. Experts warned him his design was flawed. His own tests suggested it wouldn’t work. Still, he leapt from the Eiffel Tower, convinced of his success. He tragically fell to his death. The lesson is clear: listen to feedback, trust evidence, and learn from errors before it’s too late. While most creative failures won’t end so dramatically, the principle is the same. Don’t be stubbornly attached to a flawed idea. Instead, embrace the hard truth that every attempt might fail, then use that failure as a steppingstone. This is how ideas evolve into inventions that change the world.
Chapter 5: Lifting the Curtain of Distraction: Overcoming Blind Spots to See Hidden Opportunities.
Creativity doesn’t just depend on hard work and steady progress. It also requires seeing beyond the obvious. Too often, we fixate on what’s right in front of us and fail to notice subtle clues that could lead to breakthroughs. This tunnel vision is like walking through a museum looking only straight ahead, never peering into the corners where priceless treasures might be hanging. To create something new, we must gently lift the curtain of our own distraction and examine the world from fresh angles. There might be unexpected solutions lurking in the periphery of our vision, waiting to be discovered once we free ourselves from mental blind spots.
Consider how people use their smartphones: eyes glued to the screen, they often fail to notice extraordinary events happening inches away. The clown on a unicycle is the perfect illustration of what happens when we focus too narrowly. In the experiment, most people preoccupied with their devices did not register the bizarre spectacle unfolding before their eyes. In a creative context, the same kind of inattentional blindness can keep you from noticing a clever idea right next to the one you’re obsessing over. To become more inventive, you must learn to occasionally glance up from your figurative screen and scan the environment for unusual possibilities.
Why do we miss these hidden gems? Often, it’s because we assume we know what we’ll see. Our minds expect the world to behave in familiar patterns, filtering out anything that doesn’t fit. But if we understand that the unexpected can be valuable, we’ll start paying attention to it. Maybe we spot a curious detail in a scientific experiment that everyone else ignores, leading to a groundbreaking discovery. Or we overhear a conversation with a quirky turn of phrase that inspires a new story character. Opportunities are everywhere, but they remain invisible until we train ourselves to look beyond our initial assumptions.
To overcome inattentional blindness, try experimenting with small shifts in perspective. Change your routine, explore a different neighborhood, or switch off your phone to notice the world’s quiet details. Look at the same object from multiple angles or brainstorm multiple solutions to a single problem. Over time, you’ll sharpen your ability to detect subtle possibilities. Creative thinkers like Steve Jobs succeeded partly because they noticed what others dismissed. Instead of blindly following what everyone else thought was normal, they stepped outside the box, saw what was overlooked, and plucked hidden opportunities from unexpected places. You, too, can learn to see with fresh eyes and uncover treasures that remain hidden to those who never dare to look beyond their comfort zone.
Chapter 6: Finding Creative Allies and Learning the Power of Show Me to Fuel Innovations.
Though we might imagine a lonely inventor tinkering in a workshop, great creations often emerge from small, dedicated teams. Working alone can be productive, but the right partner or group supercharges creativity. A team of two or three passionate people can bounce ideas off one another, spot flaws that a single mind might miss, and push each other toward excellence. Such tight-knit groups, focused on common goals, can create an environment where brainstorming thrives. Together, they refine raw concepts into polished innovations. The secret is to find individuals who share your drive, curiosity, and willingness to explore new territory.
The creators of the TV show South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, offer a striking example. They produce entire episodes in under a week using a two-step method: first, they talk through the problems and plotlines together, identifying what’s funny, what’s weak, and what needs improvement. Then, one of them takes the lead writing while the other refines and perfects the material. This combination of collaborative planning and individual execution harnesses the strengths of teamwork while avoiding the chaos of too many voices. Their success demonstrates how a small, motivated team can blend creative visions into something extraordinary.
Yet not all teams welcome creativity. Many organizations fear new ideas because they threaten the status quo. Innovation might mean changing comfortable routines, challenging old assumptions, or taking risks that some find scary. In such environments, truly fresh thinking can be ignored or dismissed. But wise leaders know that progress demands openness to possibility. They encourage their teams to say, Show me, whenever someone proposes a daring concept. Instead of instantly judging or shooting down an idea, this approach invites demonstration. It transforms That’s impossible into Prove it and let’s see what happens.
A famous show me moment occurred when Clarence Kelly Johnson, a bright new engineer at the Lockheed plant, questioned their airplane design. Instead of silencing him, his boss said, Show me. Johnson then improved the airplane’s shape, helping create a breakthrough jet fighter. By embracing show me, teams stop talking in circles and start testing ideas in the real world. If a suggestion proves useless, it is discarded. But if it works, everyone benefits. This positive cycle encourages both bold thinking and careful experimentation. In a supportive team that values evidence over empty words, creativity can flourish without fear.
Chapter 7: Building a Culture That Welcomes Uncertain Ideas, Daring Changes, and Bold Questioning.
Even if we know that ordinary thinking can lead to creativity, that failure is valuable, and that teams can boost innovation, we still need an environment that encourages these practices. Too often, schools, workplaces, and communities teach us to follow rules strictly and never stray from the beaten path. This cautious culture can suffocate the adventurous spirit at the heart of invention. If we want to see true creativity blossom, we must build supportive habitats for ideas. Like careful gardeners, we need to provide sunlight, water, and room to grow, even if we’re not sure what kind of flower will bloom.
Such a culture begins with respecting curiosity. Instead of dismissing weird suggestions, ask why they might work. Instead of mocking a question for being silly, welcome it as a possible key to something new. By treating odd notions with kindness and letting people safely propose ideas without ridicule, we encourage creativity to crawl out of its hiding place. Imagine a classroom where students feel comfortable proposing unusual answers, or a company that rewards employees for experimenting—even if those experiments fail. These are the kinds of environments where innovation thrives.
Real cultural change also means celebrating risk-takers. History is filled with innovators who dared to try something different, occasionally facing mockery. At first, people laughed at the idea of airplanes, imagined a world without horse-drawn carriages as nonsense, or doubted that small handheld devices would someday hold entire libraries. Today, these once-ridiculed ideas are everyday realities. By remembering that many breakthroughs were initially doubted, we can become more patient and open-minded. We can learn to trust that some of the strangest proposals might become tomorrow’s essential tools.
In a culture that welcomes the uncertain, teams are more likely to say, Let’s test it rather than That’s stupid. They invest in research, try new approaches, and encourage members to explore. Even when attempts fail, the lesson guides them toward better solutions next time. The result is a cycle of continuous improvement—like a well-tended garden that continuously blooms season after season. With each new idea tested and each problem solved, people gain confidence in their creative abilities. This uplifting atmosphere transforms previously timid thinkers into brave problem-solvers. Over time, such a culture can reshape entire industries, influence generations of students, and unlock new dimensions of human potential.
Chapter 8: Your Personal Creative Journey: Transforming Everyday Problems into Inspiring Innovations.
Now that we’ve peeled back the myths and mysteries around creativity, what’s next? The lesson is that creativity is not out of reach. It’s not limited to super-geniuses or people born under lucky stars. Each of us can begin our own journey of problem-solving and inventiveness. To start, think about a small challenge you face—a messy closet, a complex homework assignment, or a hobby that feels stuck. Ask yourself: How can I break this problem into smaller steps? What if I view it from a different angle? Bit by bit, you’ll uncover fresh approaches and new insights.
Your quest to become more creative doesn’t require expensive tools or special licenses. All it demands is curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Remember that great thinkers throughout history also struggled, doubted themselves, and got stuck. They, too, had to ask What now? when their initial plans crumbled. The difference is they kept pushing, trying new angles until something clicked. You can do the same. Think of creativity as a muscle that strengthens with practice. The more you engage with problems, the more flexible and inventive your mind will become.
As you experiment, seek out people who encourage your efforts rather than ridicule them. Collaborate with friends who share your interests or who bring different perspectives. When you hit a dead end, celebrate it as a sign you’re genuinely exploring unknown territory. This spirit of exploration can turn a quiet afternoon at your desk into an adventure of discovery. Before long, you might find yourself creating solutions that surprise even you. Perhaps you’ll design a clever tool for a household chore, write a short story with a twist no one expected, or develop a new app that helps classmates study.
In the end, the secret to creativity lies in understanding that it’s a process, not an exclusive gift. By challenging the myth of the lone genius, recognizing the legacy of forgotten innovators, embracing baby steps, accepting failures, staying open-eyed, collaborating, nurturing supportive cultures, and tackling your personal challenges with determination, you stand at the threshold of unlimited possibilities. Each small success will build your confidence, and each setback will refine your skill. The world needs your perspective and your creative spark. Armed with this knowledge, you can begin your creative journey now, forging a path of continual growth and invention.
All about the Book
Discover the art of creativity in ‘How to Fly a Horse’ by Kevin Ashton. This compelling read unveils the truths behind innovation, challenging myths while inspiring readers to embrace their own creative potential.
Kevin Ashton, a renowned innovator and entrepreneur, explores the essence of creativity, drawing from his extensive experience in technology and business to illuminate empowering insights for aspiring creators.
Entrepreneurs, Educators, Marketing Professionals, Artists, Product Designers
Creative Writing, Art and Design, Inventing, Public Speaking, Brainstorming Sessions
Misconceptions about creativity, Barriers to innovation, The importance of persistence, Understanding the creative process
Creativity is not a gift; it’s a skill that can be learned.
Sir Richard Branson, Tim Ferriss, Elizabeth Gilbert
Best Business Book Award, Innovative Thinking Award, Reader’s Choice Award
1. What makes creativity a natural human trait? #2. How can anyone develop their creative abilities? #3. What role does persistence play in innovation? #4. How does collaboration enhance creative outcomes? #5. What are common myths about creativity and invention? #6. How can failures contribute to eventual success? #7. What is the significance of trust in teamwork? #8. How can we encourage original thinking in groups? #9. What obstacles impede personal creative expression? #10. How does societal perception influence creative endeavors? #11. What strategies can nurture a creative mindset? #12. How can we leverage curiosity to spark ideas? #13. What is the impact of routine on creativity? #14. How can constraints lead to innovative solutions? #15. What practices can overcome creative blocks? #16. How does self-doubt affect our creative process? #17. What historical examples illustrate creativity’s importance? #18. How can we redefine creativity beyond artistic fields? #19. What lessons can we learn from successful innovators? #20. How do our experiences shape our creative potential?
creativity, innovation, How to Fly a Horse, Kevin Ashton, creative thinking, human creativity, genius, inspiration, originality, problem solving, books on creativity, successful innovation
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