Money Madness at the Movies: Flash of Genius
Based on the true story of college professor and part-time
inventor Robert Kearns’ (Greg Kinnear) long battle with the U.S.
automobile industry, Flash of Genius tells the tale of one man’s
fight to receive recognition for his ingenuity no matter the cost.
After inventing the intermittent windshield wiper, Kearns’ creation
is stolen and passed off as a new feature by the major automotive
companies. Despite being discouraged by those around him,
including his business partner Gil (Dermot Mulroney), his lawyer
Lawson (Alan Alda), and his wife Phyllis (Lauren Graham), Kearns
refuses to be silenced, and he takes on the mighty corporations in
a battle that nobody thought he could win.
Points to Ponder:
1. While teaching, Bob notes that engineers made both the aortic heart valve, which saved lives, and the gas
chamber, which slaughtered thousands. What factors influence how inventions are used?
2. What did you think of the extensive security that Bob went through to keep his design a secret?
3. Throughout the movie Bob says, “This is not about money, it’s about right and wrong.” What do you think?
What was Bob’s lawsuit really about?
4. Bob does business with his friend Gil, benefiting them both in the beginning, but after the legal problems
start, it turns sour. What do you think about doing business with a good friend? If you decided to do it, how
would you approach it?
5. Bob tells his wife, “This makes you wonder what makes a man successful.” What do you think makes
someone successful?
6. At one point, Bob becomes so obsessed with proving that Ford stole his design that he steals parts from
someone else’s car. What do you think of what Bob did? How far would you go to prove a point?
7. Bob gets so focused on his job and the lawsuit that his relationship with his family begins to deteriorate and
he begins missing important events in their lives. How do individuals best balance work, family, and life?
8. Lawson tells Bob, “This is how justice is dispensed in this country – with checkbooks.” What do you think
about that statement?
9. Bob continues fighting his legal battle even after Gil, Lawson, and Phyllis leave him. What does that tell you
about Bob?
10. What are some things that you would fight that vigorously for? Why?
11. Throughout the film Ford offered Bob money to settle the lawsuit. The dollar amounts kept getting higher
– up to $30 million. What would you have done presented with the options that Bob Kearns was given with
regards to settling the lawsuit? Would you have taken the $30 million dollars and settled or would you
continue to push for the rights of your invention?
12. During the trial Bob explains that the U.S. Supreme Court said that there must be a “flash of genius” in the
inventing process for a new invention to qualify for a patent. What do you think about this?
13. Bob says, “I thought I was put on this earth for a purpose.” Do you agree with that idea? If so, what do
you think is your purpose and how will you make it happen?
14. The most frightening thing about Kearns, from the automobile companies’ point of view, is that he is not
particularly interested in money. He wants justice.
15. What gambles does Kearns take in everyday business life?
16. What did Kern’s innovative ‘Flash of Genius cost him? What did he gain? Was it worth it?
17. In his trial Bob decides to represent himself. What did you think of this strategy? What would you have
done in that situation? Why?
18. Flash of Genius was advertised as a “feel good” David & Goliath story, but it also provides a glimpse into
an all too common destructive obsession. When does “David & Goliath” become “Captain Ahab and Moby
Dick”? Kinnear’s character ignored many warning signs, including losing his job, losing his wife, and even losing
his sanity. Some inventors spend amazing sums of money on zany product ideas. This lottery-ticket mentality
driving their “idea obsessions” is nothing new. How far is too far?
19. The line between justice and obsession is often blurry. How far would you go to protect your intellectual
property? How strongly would you insist that credit be given where credit is due—especially by those who are
benefiting from your invention? What are you to do when you’re in a battle contending for what is right while
your personal world crumbles around you?
20. This movie is frequently cited as one of the “top movies for entrepreneurs.” Why do you think that is?
21. What “money lessons” did we learn in the movie? How might Kearns’ business and legal troubles have
been prevented?
22. While the movie ends somewhat happily, the true story is more tragedy than triumph… See original New
Yorker article: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1993/01/11/the-flash-of-genius
This program is made possible by a grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation through
Smart investing@your library®, a partnership with the American Library Association.