In this day and age, it seems we expect medical and high tech innovations to come from academic or industry research laboratories. John Kanzius is a great example of backyard science and how innovation can happen when disciplines cross. His story has already been reported at Popular Science. While no formally trained as an engineer (much less a biologist or doctor), he has worked in radio and television. His familiarity with radio waves and electronics, along with a Leukemia diagnosis, sparked his ideas.

He knew low frequency radio waves could heat metals without heating surrounding materials (tissue). He also realized heat could destroy cancer cells. And as a self-described tinkerer, he brought it all together…in his garage. He’s know working with researchers to further refine the technology.

There are a facets to this story worth remembering. 1) He was a tinkerer. This provided early prototyping. And 2) (most important) He was willing to tell his story AND someone listened.

Oh… and he had time. Few great ideas develop in there entirety overnight. Creativity takes time. My personal experience has found being rushed and having a million things on my plate greatly hinders creativity.