Born in Connecticut, inventor Edwin Herbert Land (1909-1991) introduced the Polaroid land camera to the world in 1947. It was the first camera to show you a picture soon after it was taken.

Inspired by his three-year-old daughter asking to see a snapshot right away, Land was successful with innovation, insight, and imagination.

"Use science to make it work for you," explained Land who was driven to create and invent. He trailed only Thomas Edison in number of patents he received--535.

If you use creativity to see the opportunities in life's problems, just imagine the options: you can find solutions, that spark of genius everyone has inside themselves.

And be bold.

As Land observed: "Over the years, I have learned that every significant invention has several characteristics. By definition it must be startling, unexpected, and must come to a world that is not prepared for it. If the world were prepared for it, it would not be much of an invention."

How do you enhance creativity? Write down ideas; writing them down makes them real. Take risks. Loosen up. Be different. Be foolish. Have fun. Challenge assumptions. Be persistent. Dream. Be open. Jiggle.

"Happiness," said Franklin D. Roosevelt, "lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."

More PHOTOGRAPHY Quotations

There is no such thing as failure.