How to Fly a Horse: The Secret History of Creation, Invention, and Discovery by Kevin Ashton Summary

1. Creativity thrives through persistent work, not rare genius or inspiration
2. Small teams outperform lone geniuses in solving complex innovation challenges
3. Failure fuels progress by revealing what doesn’t work in creation
4. Steve Jobs' iterative process proves creativity requires daily disciplined effort
5. Historical breakthroughs like the airplane emerged from incremental problem-solving
6. “Work is the soul of creation” – innovation demands relentless doing
7. Corporate creativity dies without psychological safety for contrarian ideas
8. The Wright brothers succeeded by studying birds, not waiting for epiphanies
9. Kevin Ashton debunks the “creativity myth” of innate artistic genius
10. Lockheed’s Skunk Works model shows isolation accelerates prototype development
11. Confidence embraces doubt; certainty stagnates problem-solving and discovery
12. All human progress builds on previous creators’ accumulated knowledge

About the Author

Kevin Ashton, author of How to Fly a Horse: The Secret History of Creation, Invention, and Discovery, is a technology visionary and innovation expert renowned for coining the term “Internet of Things.”

Blending insights from his groundbreaking work at MIT’s Auto-ID Center—where he pioneered RFID technology and developed the Electronic Product Code—with his experience as a serial entrepreneur (Zensi, EnerNOC), Ashton explores creativity and human ingenuity in this genre-defying book.

His writing, featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, and Quartz, distills complex ideas into accessible narratives. A sought-after speaker, he has shared his contrarian perspectives at events like PTC LiveWorx and influenced global tech policy.

How to Fly a Horse won the 2015 Business Book of the Year award from 800-CEO-READ and has been celebrated for reshaping how organizations approach innovation.

FAQs About This Book

What is How to Fly a Horse by Kevin Ashton about?

How to Fly a Horse debunks the myth of innate creative genius, arguing that innovation arises from ordinary, incremental efforts. Kevin Ashton uses historical examples—like the Wright brothers and Rosalind Franklin—to show how collaboration, persistence, and problem-solving drive breakthroughs. The book emphasizes that creativity is a universal skill accessible through hard work, not a rare gift.

Who should read How to Fly a Horse?

This book is ideal for entrepreneurs, artists, educators, and anyone seeking to demystify creativity. Ashton’s insights are valuable for teams aiming to foster innovation, individuals facing creative blocks, or readers interested in historical case studies of invention. Its practical advice applies across industries, from technology to the arts.

Is How to Fly a Horse worth reading?

Yes—readers praise it as a compelling blend of inspiration, history, and actionable advice. Reviewers highlight its fresh perspective on creativity, calling it “one of the best books you haven’t read” for its balance of storytelling and practical frameworks. It’s particularly recommended for skeptics of the “lone genius” narrative.

How does Kevin Ashton redefine creativity?

Ashton defines creativity as an ordinary, iterative process involving problem-solving and persistence. He rejects the idea of “eureka moments,” arguing that breakthroughs like the Wright brothers’ airplane or DNA discovery resulted from accumulated small steps, not innate talent. Creativity, he asserts, is a universal human trait.

What role does failure play in How to Fly a Horse?

Failure is framed as essential to innovation. Ashton illustrates how setbacks provide critical feedback, using examples like Thomas Edison’s repeated experiments and Rosalind Franklin’s perseverance in DNA research. The book encourages viewing failure as a necessary step toward solutions, not a final outcome.

What historical examples support Ashton’s thesis?

Key examples include:

• The Wright Brothers: Their iterative approach to flight, testing wing shapes and controls.
• Edmond Albius: A 12-year-old enslaved boy who revolutionized vanilla pollination.
• Rosalind Franklin: Her foundational but overlooked DNA research. These cases underscore collaboration and incremental progress.

What is the “creativity myth” Ashton challenges?

The myth claims creativity is a rare, innate gift reserved for “geniuses.” Ashton argues this belief stifles innovation by discouraging ordinary people from pursuing ideas. He contrasts this with real-world examples of creators who succeeded through systematic effort rather than divine inspiration.

How does Ashton emphasize collaboration in creativity?

The book highlights how innovations—from the first airplane to DNA’s discovery—rely on building others’ work. Ashton stresses that no creation happens in isolation, citing teams like Jobs and Wozniak at Apple and the collaborative nature of scientific research.

What practical advice does the book offer for fostering creativity?

• Prioritize effort over inspiration: “Time is the raw material of creation.”
• Embrace incremental progress: Break problems into smaller steps.
• Normalize failure: View setbacks as feedback.
• Collaborate: Share ideas early and build on others’ insights.

How does How to Fly a Horse compare to other creativity books?

Unlike works focusing on “brainstorming” or innate talent, Ashton’s book grounds creativity in historical rigor and actionable processes. It complements titles like Atomic Habits (systems-driven growth) and Grit (perseverance), but stands out for debunking romanticized creation myths.

What criticisms exist about How to Fly a Horse?

Some critics argue Ashton underplays the role of individual brilliance or serendipity. However, most praise his evidence-based approach, with one reviewer noting, “The book’s strength is its rejection of simplistic narratives in favor of nuanced, real-world examples.”

How does Kevin Ashton’s background influence the book?

As a technologist who coined “the Internet of Things,” Ashton blends historical analysis with firsthand innovation experience. His entrepreneurial insights and MIT research lend credibility to the book’s arguments about collaborative, incremental creation.