--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Swedish engineer who invented the zip…" description: "\"The Swedish engineer who invented the zip fastener made a greater intellectual leap than many scientists do in a lifetime.\" — Martin Rees" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/734/martin-rees-3002_engineer_the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zi_1221791.jpg" --- # The Swedish engineer who invented the zip fastener made a… ![“The Swedish engineer who invented the zip fastener made a greater intellectual leap than many scientists do in a lifetime.” quote by Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/734/martin-rees-3002_engineer_the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zi_1221791.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/734/martin-rees-3002_engineer_the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zi_1221791.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/734/martin-rees-3002_engineer_the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zi_1221791.jpg) > “The Swedish engineer who invented the zip fastener made a greater intellectual leap than many scientists do in a lifetime.” [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights that inventing the zip fastener required a rare, profound insight, surpassing many scientists' lifetime achievements. **In simple terms:** Inventing the zip needed a huge, unique insight. Key Takeaway Recognize and value rare breakthroughs. Themes innovation creativity intellectual leaps Mood admiring reflective Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - product design - industrial design - historical inventions - recognizing genius Key Concepts engineering inventive thinking impact Questions to Reflect On - What defines a true intellectual leap? - How can we foster such insight? A Different Perspective Not all inventions are as groundbreaking; many are incremental. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Engineer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineer/) [Engineer Invented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineer-invented-3743892/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Greater Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-intellectual-3743896/) [Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual/) [Intellectual Leap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual-leap-3743895/) [Invented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invented/) [Invented Zip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invented-zip-3743893/) [Leap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leap/) [Lifetime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifetime/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Many](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/many/) [Scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientists/) [Swedish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swedish/) [Swedish Engineer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swedish-engineer-3743894/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/) [Zip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zip/) ## Related quotes > [My grandfather was an engineer who invented the automatic pilot for airplanes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/my-grandfather-was-an-engineer-who-invented-the-automatic-pilot-for/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [I have never known so much naive conviction allied to greater intellectual poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-levi-strauss/i-have-never-known-so-much-naive-conviction-allied-to-greater/) [Claude Levi-Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-levi-strauss/) > [There is nothing anti-intellectual in the leap of faith, for faith is not believing without proof but trusting without reservation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sloane-coffin/there-is-nothing-anti-intellectual-in-the-leap-of-faith-for-faith-is/) [William Sloane Coffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sloane-coffin/) > [During National Playground Safety Week, I'll celebrate common-sense safety. I'll also celebrate skinned knees and bruised elbows. I'll celebrate so-called 'dangerous' playgrounds - playgrounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darell-hammond/during-national-playground-safety-week-i-ll-celebrate-common-sense/) [Darell Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darell-hammond/) > [I have a sweet tooth for reading, so books migrate to my zip code en mass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-olivieri/i-have-a-sweet-tooth-for-reading-so-books-migrate-to-my-zip-code-en/) [Dawn Olivieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-olivieri/) > [I try to lead a pretty active lifestyle. My biggest hobby is traveling with my family. I love to travel to new places and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-sunshine/i-try-to-lead-a-pretty-active-lifestyle-my-biggest-hobby-is-traveling/) [Caroline Sunshine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-sunshine/) > [I like a very sexy silhouette, and I like to feel like when you put something on, you zip yourself into it, and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-wren-scott/i-like-a-very-sexy-silhouette-and-i-like-to-feel-like-when-you-put/) [L'Wren Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-wren-scott/) > [It was the roughest day of my career, my final day of shooting on 'Breaking Bad,' knowing that I will never be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/it-was-the-roughest-day-of-my-career-my-final-day-of-shooting-on/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [Paul Taylor's 'Offenbach Overtures' has lots of zip and charm, and its pair of dueling soldiers in red, who end up starry-eyed about each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-gottlieb/paul-taylor-s-offenbach-overtures-has-lots-of-zip-and-charm-and-its/) [Robert Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-gottlieb/) > [“Share them with only people who can help you with information and support. When you meet negative people, zip your mouth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/share-them-with-only-people-who-can-help-you-with-information-and/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [My second year in the league I played zip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-redick/my-second-year-in-the-league-i-played-zip/) [J. J. Redick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-redick/) > [I've never done a zip wire. I'm a scaredy-cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-baxendale/i-ve-never-done-a-zip-wire-i-m-a-scaredy-cat/) [Helen Baxendale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-baxendale/) > [“Better channel your words into prayer, than into complaints. Zip your mouth and make a plan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/better-channel-your-words-into-prayer-than-into-complaints-zip-your/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I am very, very old-fashioned and clumsy. I use those long reporter notebooks. This is what a troglodyte I am. The night before I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-quammen/i-am-very-very-old-fashioned-and-clumsy-i-use-those-long-reporter/) [David Quammen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-quammen/) > [“In your anger, zip your lips!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-anger-zip-your-lips/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) ## More by Martin Rees > [A monkey is unaware that atoms exist. Likewise, our brainpower may not stretch to the deepest aspects of reality. The bedrock nature of space…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/a-monkey-is-unaware-that-atoms-exist-likewise-our-brainpower-may-not/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [The advance of science spares us from irrational dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-advance-of-science-spares-us-from-irrational-dread/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [“The Sun contains about a thousand times more mass than Jupiter. 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In particular, I think that we should not rubbish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/i-have-no-religious-belief-myself-but-i-don-t-think-we-should-fight/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [“More energy is needed to rise a millimetre above a neutron star's surface than to break completely free of Earth's gravity. A pen dropped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/more-energy-is-needed-to-rise-a-millimetre-above-a-neutron-star-s/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [The next humans to walk on the moon may be Chinese. Only China seems to have the resources, the dirigiste government, and the willingness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-next-humans-to-walk-on-the-moon-may-be-chinese-only-china-seems/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [If we ever established contact with intelligent life on another world, there would be barriers to communication. First, they would be many light years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/if-we-ever-established-contact-with-intelligent-life-on-another-world/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [There is an ever-widening gap between what science allows and what we should actually do. There are many doors science can open that should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/there-is-an-ever-widening-gap-between-what-science-allows-and-what-we/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [An insect is more complex than a star..and is a far greater challenge to understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/an-insect-is-more-complex-than-a-star-and-is-a-far-greater-challenge/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [The physicist is like someone who's watching people playing chess and, after watching a few games, he may have worked out what the moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-physicist-is-like-someone-who-s-watching-people-playing-chess-and/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [We are 'nuclear waste' from the fuel that makes stars shine; indeed, each of us contains atoms whose provenance can be traced back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/we-are-nuclear-waste-from-the-fuel-that-makes-stars-shine-indeed-each/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [Just as there are many Jews who keep the Friday ritual in their home despite describing themselves as atheists, I am a 'tribal Christian,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/just-as-there-are-many-jews-who-keep-the-friday-ritual-in-their-home/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) [Explore all 143 Martin Rees quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) ## More Engineer quotes > [It is a great profession. 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It's just me and my engineer in a dark room somewhere, recording.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-wave/when-i-do-my-music-i-don-t-even-go-to-the-studio-it-s-just-me-and-my/) [Rod Wave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-wave/) > [“It was the engineer who determined what problems to investigate, designed the experiments, and defined the assignments for the mathematicians.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-lee-shetterly/it-was-the-engineer-who-determined-what-problems-to-investigate/) [Margot Lee Shetterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-lee-shetterly/) > [I'm an artistic person and a creator. I'm not a scientific. I'm not an engineer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-laliberte/i-m-an-artistic-person-and-a-creator-i-m-not-a-scientific-i-m-not-an/) [Guy Laliberte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-laliberte/) > [I'm an engineer by trade, and what engineers do is they go and build, and they don't think a lot about storytelling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-kalanick/i-m-an-engineer-by-trade-and-what-engineers-do-is-they-go-and-build/) [Travis Kalanick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-kalanick/) > [I was a kind of a one-man army. I could solder circuits together, I could turn out things on the lathe, I could work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-allen/i-was-a-kind-of-a-one-man-army-i-could-solder-circuits-together-i/) [James Van Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-allen/) > [I never knew what an engineer did for a living when I was a kid. I still don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/i-never-knew-what-an-engineer-did-for-a-living-when-i-was-a-kid-i/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [Snowden is an orderly thinker, with an engineer's approach to problem-solving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/snowden-is-an-orderly-thinker-with-an-engineer-s-approach-to-problem/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) > [You don't have to be a nerd or a programmer or a network engineer to make a difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/you-don-t-have-to-be-a-nerd-or-a-programmer-or-a-network-engineer-to/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [I'm an artist and an engineer, which is, increasingly, a more common kind of hybrid. 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They use my tools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-moog/i-m-an-engineer-i-see-myself-as-a-toolmaker-and-the-musicians-are-my/) [Robert Moog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-moog/) > [ A lawyer’s either a social engineer or … a parasite on society … A social engineer \[is\] a highly skilled, perceptive, sensitive lawyer who… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hamilton-houston/a-lawyer-s-either-a-social-engineer-or-a-parasite-on-society-a-social/) [Charles Hamilton Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hamilton-houston/) > [“If we are not apt to steer our life and engineer our individuality, we become preys of the pecking order or panting cardboard characters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/if-we-are-not-apt-to-steer-our-life-and-engineer-our-individuality-we/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) [Browse all 328 Engineer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Swedish engineer who invented the zip fastener made a greater intellectual leap than many scientists do in a lifetime.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martin Rees" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zip-fastener-made-a-greater/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Engineer" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zip-fastener-made-a-greater/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/734/martin-rees-3002_engineer_the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zi_1221791.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/734/martin-rees-3002_engineer_the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zi_1221791.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/734/martin-rees-3002_engineer_the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zi_1221791.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Swedish engineer who invented the zip fastener made a greater intellectual leap than many scientists do…” — Martin Rees", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Martin Rees", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Swedish engineer who invented the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zip-fastener-made-a-greater/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-swedish-engineer-who-invented-the-zip-fastener-made-a-greater/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```