It is interesting to seek out inventors and scientists and ask "Do you remember the spark (i.e. an idea or question) that got you started?" The rigor of scienc

It is interesting to seek out inventors and scientists and ask "Do you remember the spark (i.e. an idea or question) that got you started?" The rigor of science is almost always emphasized, because the core of the scientific method is empirical validation. Still, we should not discount the creative spark that sets it in motion. What inspires and motivates people to test an idea? Not a small number of scientific theories arise from unexpected places -- patterns, connections, metaphors, even dreams.