Flash of Genius Take Home Test- Ch. 5

1. Where did Robert Kearns get the idea of intermittent windshield wipers?
   On his honey moon he tried to open a bottle of champagne but it hit his eye. Due to this he became interested in the human eye and one day when he was driving his car he thought why doesn't a windshield blink like an eye? This gave him the idea to invent a windshield wiper that would essentially blink.
   
2. Why did Kearns feel that ethics was important in engineering? What do you think? 
   
   He felt that ethics was important in engineering because an engineer made an artificial aorta and another engineer made the gas chambers for Auschwitz. Engineers may have to make a decision where they could invent something bad or something good. I believe that ethics is important in engineering but if you have to go down the bad path then make your invention faulty. If you can't stop it, at least you can delay it.
   
3. Why was Kearns wary of showing his invention to the engineers at Ford?
   
   He was wary because they were already working on their own version of what he invented but if he showed them they would be able to figure out his concepts and not need him in the picture.
   
4. List what you think the 5 biggest sacrifices Robert Kearns made to pursue his dream.
   
   1) His wife
   2) His family
   3) His job
   4) His friends
   5) Part of his sanity
   
5. What was initially motivating Kearns to pursue his dream and invent his wiper blades?
   
   Initially it was his family that motivated him and a new project to tinker on. He liked inventing things that helped the people surrounding him.
   
6. Why did Kearns continue to fight Ford against all odds and not accept the offers to settle?
   
   Kearns continued to fight Ford and not accept their offers because he did not care about the money they were offering; it was not what he was asking for. All he wanted was for the world to know that it was his invention and not Fords.
   
7. How do you think Kearns could have protected his invention better?
   
   Kearns could have protected his invention better by seeing multiple automobiles company's about his product and only showing them everything until after they have a contract that they agree on. This way no one would be able to know how his invention worked until after the contract was signed and Kearns would get the recognition he deserved and wanted.
   
8. Was the fight that Robert Kearns went through worth it?
   
   The fight that Kearns went through was worth it but not necessary. I believe that if Ford was smart they could have saved their millions of dollars and given Kearns what he wanted. Everyone would have been happy and maybe Kearns and his wife would have still been together. The fight was worth it because in the end Kearns got what he desired and should have had rightfully from the start.
   
9. What did you learn about being an entrepreneur from this movie?
   
   What I learned in this movie about being an entrepreneur is that you can't give up and you do have to take risks. You can't let people walk all over you if you have a good idea. You have to stick up for yourself and demand the respect you deserve.
   
10. Did this movie intimidate you from or motivate you to become an entrepreneur? Explain.
    
    The movie both made me want and afraid to be an entrepreneur. It made me want to be an entrepreneur because it showed me that having fun and doing work can exist together. Though, it also put me off from wanting to be an entrepreneur because I don't know if I could handle the stress and loss that Kearns had to go through.
    
11. After watching the movie, would you consider Robert Kearns a success in life or a failure? Why or Why not? Explain in detail.
    
    I believe that he was both a failure and a success in life. He was a failure because he put his work and stress before his family and loved ones. Due to this he lost friends, his wife, and almost lost his kids. Though, he was also a success in life. He didn't let Ford push him around because he was almost powerless against him. He took proper risks and was able to stand up for himself; while going through tremendous loss and anxiety. He was able to show the world what he did and because he didn't give up he was rewarded with a substantial amount of money.