Solly Stein, my father’s college roommate
at Cornell became an inventor with
two notable achievements: Humiditron,
a made up word that sounded important
and familiar both that moved the air around
in what Solly called a significant way.
He did not use the word purify.
What made him a Rich Man was something
that looked like a bathroom towel rack
with one button. You pressed the button
and hot air came out to dry your hands
saving restaurants millions said Solly.
Genius said my father.
Anyone could have thought of that
said Solly’s wife Elaine.
Behind every great man …
That IS genius. Thinking up what anybody could have thought up but didn’t think of it.