In Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, the author emphasizes the notion that innovation often involves drawing inspiration from existing ideas. Steve Jobs believed that good artists take inspiration from others, but the truly exceptional ones adapt and transform those ideas into something new. This philosophy shaped Jobs' approach to creativity and product development.

By openly embracing the concept of borrowing and building upon great ideas, Jobs and his team at Apple pushed the boundaries of technology and design. They incorporated various influences while ensuring that their creations were unique, reinforcing the idea that originality often stems from the clever reinterpretation of existing concepts.