I was always afraid of things that worked the first time…
“I was always afraid of things that worked the first time. Long experience proved that there were great drawbacks found generally before they could be got commercial; but here was something there was no doubt of.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
First successful inventions often hide hidden flaws that become apparent only after widespread use.
In simple terms: Success can hide problems.
Scrutinize early successes before scaling.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- product development
- investment decisions
- regulatory review
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can catch hidden drawbacks?
- Should early adopters bear more risk?
Ignoring early warnings can lead to costly failures.