What Did Thomas Edison Tell Henry Ford?

David Senra, reading Kevin Kelly's Excellent Advice for Living, says Thomas Edison told a young Henry Ford, "Young man, that's the thing. Keep at it." Ford was explaining his idea to build a mass-produced car with an internal combustion engine. When Ford finished, Edison banged a fist on the table so hard that the dishes around him jumped. Henry Ford said the few words helped him persevere through many years of struggle after the conversation.

The meeting is Senra's favorite example from history of the book's line that you can really change someone's life for the better simply by offering words of encouragement. Ford was talking with his idol, an older Thomas Edison. The struggle still lasted many years. The encouragement was what helped him keep at the car.