Politicians, entrepreneurs, and artists who have left a significant mark on their times all had rivals. These individuals often clashed in their quests to surpass each other, yet through this competition, they pushed themselves to new heights. By examining the legendary rivals who contributed to the progress of the world through healthy competition, we can reflect on the true meaning of rivalry.
Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are iconic figures in the business world and symbols of their era. Their competition over more than 30 years opened the era of personal computers, the internet, and mobile technology.
However, the Windows operating system, which propelled Microsoft to its current status, was actually an improvement upon an operating system created by Steve Jobs. Bill Gates took Jobs’ idea and enhanced it. This act led to accusations that Gates stole Jobs’ idea.
In the movie “The Silicon Valley Story,” when Steve Jobs confronted Bill Gates about this incident, Gates retorted, “I didn’t steal anything. All cars have steering wheels, but when you make a new car, you don’t say you stole the idea from the first company to make a steering wheel.”
Bill Gates’ strategy has always been to analyze and improve upon existing products, thereby creating new ones and quickly presenting them to the public, often surpassing his competitors. On the other hand, Steve Jobs aimed for his products to be unique and groundbreaking, preferring to take the time needed to perfect them.
Their contrasting approaches to product development and management have significantly advanced the IT industry and made our daily lives more convenient.
Leonardo da Vinci, known for “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper,” and Michelangelo, famous for “David” and “The Creation of Adam,” were the great masters who completed the Renaissance. They maintained a rivalry during the same period, producing high-quality works.
In 1504, both rivals participated in a grand mural project for the Hall of the Great Council in Florence, drawing much public interest. Two enormous walls, each 10 meters high and 20 meters wide, were designated—one for Leonardo and the other for Michelangelo.
Leonardo, in his 50s and already quite famous, felt pressured to compete against the 20-something Michelangelo. Michelangelo, though renowned as a sculptor, was nervous about proving his skill as a painter. Both artists poured their energy into their work, showcasing diverse styles. However, the project was ultimately abandoned due to the immense pressure. Leonardo quit when his new techniques failed midway, and Michelangelo left for a new commission in Rome.
Despite the unfinished murals, the project motivated both artists, leading them to create even better works and mature artistically.
Electricity is one of the greatest inventions indispensable to our lives. In the late 19th century, American inventors Edison and Tesla tirelessly researched to bring new and brighter light to the world.
While working together at Edison’s lab, they developed many inventions. However, differences in their views on direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) led Tesla to leave. Edison, who was running a business with DC, claimed it was the only safe method as AC transmission began to grow. Conversely, Tesla was convinced that his AC system was superior to Edison’s DC system, leading to a clash of opinions.
After parting ways, they each focused on their respective research to invent more advanced electrical systems. Edison became not just an inventor but also a creator of related industries, while Tesla became a legendary inventor with 272 patents in 25 countries.
In 1917, at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers awards ceremony, Tesla praised Edison, saying, “Although Edison had no theoretical education and lacked any favorable conditions in advance, he achieved great accomplishments through diligence and hard work.”