Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

John D. McKay
PHL/458
Jan 11, 2016
Amy Naccarato

Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

There are many creative thinkers who were forward thinkers. These forward thinkers either
started or were part of a new wave of thinkers who decided they wanted more or decided to
travel outside of the normal comfort zone. Many factors were involved with the inspiration of
these creative thinkers. With a careful examination of Steve Wozniak and Carl Sagan we can
begin to realize how special they were.

Steve Wozniak (computer engineer, Apple)

Steve Wozniak was part of the dynamic team that started Apple Computer. Steve Wozniak
and Steve Jobs were the brains behind Apple. Jobs was the extravert who sold the different
products and the dreamer. Wozniak was the engineer and the creative genius behind creating the
circuit boards and setting up the Apple I. He eventually developed the Apple II which changed
the landscape of personal computing. The Apple II set the standard for home computers and
made the home computer easy to manipulate and somewhat affordable. According
to "Bio" (2015)
Steve Wozniak was born in San Jose, California, on August 11, 1950. In partnership with his
friend Steve Jobs, Wozniak invented the Apple I computer. The pair founded Apple Computers
in 1976 with Ronald Wayne, releasing some of the first personal computers on the market
(Synopsis).
Information about each of the thinker's unique contributions to society
Wozniak was known as an introvert who liked to tinker with things especially computers. He
accepted the challenge to build a smaller circuit board with less microchips. He never had the
desire to be a marketer but deep down had the desire to design and develop the computer from
the inside out.

Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

Steve Jobs argued with Steve Wozniak, during the design stage, that the Apple II should have
at least two expansion slots. Wozniak wanted six slots. In the end they decided on eight slots.
The Apple II became one of the first highly successful mass-produced personal computers.
The problems or issues that their ideas sought to solve
The Apple II became one of the first highly successful mass-produced personal computers.
Before the Apple II, the hobbyist built personal computers. Computers from that time were
usually connected to a television set and there were not many programs that could be used by the
public. The Apple II was designed to look like a home appliance instead of a piece of electronic
equipment.
Each thinker's personal/ social/ political environments and how you think these factors
contributed to their creativity
Steve Wozniak was known for his introverted character. He enjoyed tinkering with
electronics. He finds his level of celebrity somewhat annoying. Accordingto"Oninnovation:
VisionariesThinkingOutLoud"(2015),
Wozniaktalksabout"fun"asadrivingforcebehindwhathedoes,whetheritsplaying
pranks,playingSegwaypolo,ordesigningmachines.Thatideaandhisconstanttinkeringled
himtodesigningtheAppleIandII,computershesaidwerebuiltforfun(TheComplete
InterviewfromSteveWozniak).
The creative process of each thinker, including any obstacles they faced, and a
comparison of the creative processes underlying each individual's work

Wozniak enjoyed tinkering with electronics. Steve Jobs challenged Wozniak to build
computers with less chips. According to Livingston(2009),

Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

ThereasonIdidthatwasbecauseIhadnomoney.Icouldneverbuildone.Chipsbackthen
were...likeIsaid,tobuyacomputerbuilt,itwaslikeadownpaymentonagoodhouse.So,
becauseIcouldneverbuildone,allIcoulddowasdesignthemonpaperandtrytogetbetter
andbetterandbetter.Iwascompetingwithmyself.Butthat'sjustthestoryofhowmyskill
gotsogood.It'sbecauseIcouldneverbuildanything,Ijustcompetedwithmyselftocome
upwithideasthatnobodyelsewouldcomeupwith(Interview:SteveWozniak).
A critique of their ideas: could they have done anything differently? How did their work
fit into the existing framework of understanding in their field, and how did it advance
further understanding of the field?
Steve Wozniak was influential in the creation of the Apple I and Apple II computers in the
mid-1970s. His invention brought computers into the home and changed the way we use
computers. I do not feel that Wozniak could have done things any better.

Carl Sagan (astrophysicist, cosmologist)

Carl Sagan brought outer space to the main stream public. He had the ability to explain
technical jargon into everyday speech. He was also known for theorizing about extraterrestrial
life. According to Bio (2015)
Astronomer Carl Sagan was born on November 9, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York. He
graduated from the University of Chicago, where he studied planets and explored theories of
extraterrestrial intelligence. He was named director of Cornells Laboratory for Planetary
Studies in 1968 and worked with NASA on several projects. An anti-nuclear activist, Sagan
introduced the idea of nuclear winter in 1983. He wrote one novel, several books and

Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

academic papers and the TV series Cosmos, which was reborn on TV in 2014, before his 1996
death (Synopsis).
Information about each of the thinker's unique contributions to society
CarlSaganwasknownforhisresearchonextraterrestriallife.Hewrotemanypapersand
booksincludingthebookContactandtheCosmostelevisionseries.Accordingto"BBC:Carl
Sagan"(2015),
he is best known for his contributions to the scientific research of extraterrestrial life,
including experimental demonstration of the production of amino acids from basic chemicals
by radiation. Sagan assembled the first physical messages that were sent into space (About
CarlSagan).

The problems or issues that their ideas sought to solve

Carl Sagan asked the question, Is there other life out there? He also brought science to the
public. He thought that talking about science would get people to invest in scientific research.
He always catered to the public media where other scholars did not have the time or the patience.
Sagan wrote over 200 papers and collaborated with authors on a few books. Sagan had the
ability to explain scientific concepts in ways that lay persons and students could understand made
him a popular teacher and public lecturer.
Each thinker's personal/ social/ political environments and how you think these factors
contributed to their creativity
Sagan knew he wanted to be an Astronomer when he was a kid. He said he got his
fascination for wonder from his father who was a factory worker. Carl Sagan was highly

Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

educated. He received a bachelor of arts degree with special honors in the natural sciences in
1954, a bachelor of science degree in physics in 1955, and his doctorate in 1960. I think that his
natural fascination with space led him on his path to becoming a celebrity.

The creative process of each thinker, including any obstacles they faced, and a
comparison of the creative processes underlying each individual's work

Carl Sagan learned skepticism and wonder from his parents who were not scientist.
Accordingto"TopSynergy.com"(2003),CarlSaganisveryjudgmentalandhardonhimselfif
hefailstoattainsuccess,andhecanbecomedry,bitter,orcynicaliftheworlddoesnot
recognizehisefforts(Challengesanddifficulties).
A critique of their ideas: could they have done anything differently? How did their work
fit into the existing framework of understanding in their field, and how did it advance
further understanding of the field?

Carl Sagan brought science to mainstay America. His work on planets and extraterrestrials
were ground breaking. I think his education helped him get to the next level. Life on other
planets became the issue. This has led to many other books and movies on the subject.

Conclusion

There are many creative thinkers who were forward thinkers. Steve Wozniak and Carl
Sagan were forward thinkers and either started or were part of a new wave of thinkers who
decided they wanted more or decided to travel outside of the normal comfort zone. Many factors

Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

were involved with the inspiration of these creative thinkers. With a careful examination of Steve
Wozniak and Carl Sagan we can begin to realize how special they were.

Famous Creative Thinkers Presentation

References
BBC:CarlSagan.(2015).Retrievedfrom
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/universe/scientists/carl_sagan

Bio.(2015).Retrievedfromhttp://www.biography.com/people/stevewozniak9537334
Bio.(2015).Retrievedfromhttp://www.biography.com/people/carlsagan9469191
Livingston,J.(2009).FoundersatWork.Retrievedfromhttp://www.foundersatwork.com/steve
wozniak.html
Oninnovation:VisionariesThinkingOutLoud.(2015).Retrievedfrom
ttp://oninnovation.com/innovators/detail.aspx?innovator=Wozniak

TopSynergy.com.(2003).Retrievedfromhttp://famous
relationships.topsynergy.com/Carl_Sagan/Challenges.asp