Egg of Columbus

An egg of Columbus or Columbus's egg refers to a brilliant idea or discovery that seems simple or easy after the fact. The expression refers to a popular story of how Christopher Columbus, having been told that discovering the Americas was no great accomplishment, challenged his critics to make an egg stand on its tip. After his challengers gave up, Columbus did it himself by tapping the egg on the table so as to flatten its tip.

The story is often alluded to when discussing creativity. The term has also been used as the trade name of puzzles.

Read more about Egg Of Columbus:  Source of The Story, In Popular Culture

Famous quotes containing the words egg and/or columbus:

    Boredom is the dream bird that hatches the egg of experience. A rustling in the leaves drives him away.
    Walter Benjamin (1892–1940)

    Herein is the explanation of the analogies, which exist in all the arts. They are the re-appearance of one mind, working in many materials to many temporary ends. Raphael paints wisdom, Handel sings it, Phidias carves it, Shakspeare writes it, Wren builds it, Columbus sails it, Luther preaches it, Washington arms it, Watt mechanizes it. Painting was called “silent poetry,” and poetry “speaking painting.” The laws of each art are convertible into the laws of every other.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)