Skip to content

When he was just 23, Houston took a four-hour bus ride…

“When he was just 23, Houston took a four-hour bus ride from Boston to New York, planning to use the time to work on a project. But he was stymied, because he forgot to bring the thumb-size hard drive that held his files. Deciding he’d been inconvenienced by this sort of thing for the last time, he…” quote by Fast Company
Download Open image
““When he was just 23, Houston took a four-hour bus ride from Boston to New York, planning to use the time to work on a project. But he was stymied, because he forgot to bring the thumb-size hard drive that held his files. Deciding he’d been inconvenienced by this sort of thing for the last time, he wrote the very first lines of Dropbox code during the ride.””

Fast Company

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A missed opportunity sparked creativity, leading to the creation of Dropbox during a bus ride.

In simple terms: Forgotten tools can inspire new solutions.

Key Takeaway

Turn setbacks into innovation.

Themes

creativity resourcefulness technology

Mood

inspirational practical

Type

business technology

When to use this quote

  • commuting
  • project deadlines
  • travel
  • tech development

Key Concepts

problem solving entrepreneurship

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you use constraints to innovate?
  • What tools do you always keep on hand?
A Different Perspective

Not all setbacks become breakthroughs; timing matters.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Fast Company

Explore all 15 Fast Company quotes

More Last time quotes

Browse all 2,234 Last time quotes