Lee De Forest

Engineering United States 1873 – 1961 100 quotes

American inventor who created the Audion vacuum tube, enabling amplification in radio and early electronics.

Quotes by Lee De Forest

I have been called the 'Father of Radio' and 'Grandfather of Television.' I am not sure I deserve either title, but I have tried to do my best.

Autobiography 1950

I discovered an invisible empire of the air, for which I was destined to be the first emperor.

Patent application 1906

The audion is a device which, by means of a small amount of energy, can control a large amount of energy.

Scientific paper 1906

I am a pioneer, and pioneers get shot at.

Interview 1920

To say that radio is a toy is to say that the telephone is a toy.

Speech 1916

The future of radio is in broadcasting, not in point-to-point communication.

Speech 1916

I have made many mistakes, but I have always learned from them.

Autobiography 1940

The greatest invention of all time is the human mind.

Interview 1950

Science is the pursuit of truth, and truth is beauty.

Speech 1930

The audion is the most important invention of the twentieth century.

Interview 1920

I have always been an optimist, even in the face of adversity.

Autobiography 1940

The world is full of wonders, and it is our job to discover them.

Speech 1930

The true scientist is a dreamer, a poet, and an artist.

Speech 1920

I have always believed that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Interview 1950

The greatest joy in life is to create something new.

Autobiography 1940

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Speech 1930

Innovation is the key to progress.

Interview 1920

I have always been driven by a desire to understand how things work.

Autobiography 1950

The greatest discovery is to find yourself.

Speech 1940

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

Interview 1930