Bill one of my favorite books is Connections. How inventions occur.
The connections are never a straight line but borrowed from from different points in time.

My son has a linear mind. His attempts to make non geometric jumps in understanding or humor is getting better. I'm envious of his memory and math skills. His willingness to plaese and do whatever authority figures say will deliver rewards from the system...
if he doesn't get abducted and harmed by religious fanatics or military authorities first.