“Japan’s very interesting. Some people think it copies things. I don’t think that anymore. I think what they do is reinvent things. They will get something that’s already been invented and study it until they thoroughly understand it. In some cases, they understand it better than the original inventor.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
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Quote
“Japan’s very interesting. Some people think it copies things. I don’t think that anymore. I think what they do is reinvent things. They will get something that’s already been invented and study it until they thoroughly understand it. In some cases, they understand it better than the original inventor.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs praises Japan for its ability to take existing technologies and reinvent them rather than simply copying them. While many may initially perceive Japan’s approach as imitation, Jobs recognizes that Japanese innovators have a unique ability to study and deeply understand existing ideas and technologies, often improving upon them or taking them in entirely new directions. This process of reinvention involves not only copying but also an in-depth understanding of the original concept, allowing Japan to improve and optimize technologies in ways that the original creators may not have anticipated.
Jobs’ observation about Japan’s ability to reinvent aligns with his own philosophy at Apple, where he encouraged taking existing ideas and pushing them beyond their limits to create something truly innovative. For Apple, this was evident in the development of products like the iPhone, which wasn’t the first smartphone, but it redefined the concept through better design, user experience, and integration of existing technologies.
In today’s world, this approach of reinvention continues to be a powerful force in innovation. Many modern technologies are not created from scratch but evolve through understanding and enhancing existing ideas. Whether in electronics, automobiles, or software, the ability to refine and improve upon existing concepts is central to technological advancement. Jobs’ quote underscores the value of deep understanding and creativity in making old ideas new again, often leading to breakthroughs that outpace the original inventions.
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