"In the experimental sciences, the epochs of the most brilliant progress are almost always separated by long intervals of almost absolute repose."

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Indeed, the most important part of engineering work-and also of other scientific work-is the determination of the method of attacking the problem, whatever it may be, whether an experimental investigation, or a theoretical calculation. ... It is by the choice of a suitable method of attack, that intricate problems are reduced to simple phenomena, and then easily solved.

— Charles Proteus Steinmetz