| | Along with individual initiative, creativity is one of the two outstanding characteristics of Americans. More patented inventions, such as the telephone and [[atomic bomb]], were invented by Americans than by people of any other country, although sometimes people of other countries have been able to put the finishing touches on them or market them better. For example, the [[fax machine]]. [[Gunpowder]], [[paper]], [[radio]], the [[printing press]], the [[steam engine]], and [[open heart surgery]], are examples of creativity originating in Asia, Europe, and Africa. | | Along with individual initiative, creativity is one of the two outstanding characteristics of Americans. More patented inventions, such as the telephone and [[atomic bomb]], were invented by Americans than by people of any other country, although sometimes people of other countries have been able to put the finishing touches on them or market them better. For example, the [[fax machine]]. [[Gunpowder]], [[paper]], [[radio]], the [[printing press]], the [[steam engine]], and [[open heart surgery]], are examples of creativity originating in Asia, Europe, and Africa. |