I explore putative practices that claim to promote discovery, invention, and innovation. I posit that curiosity, skepticism, critical thinking, interdisciplinary education, and risk-taking are the foundational core to promote discovery, invention, and innovation in science and engineering. I share some of the cogent thoughts and practices of three individuals; each from a different area of science, and from a different country with its unique culture. I recount several of Cajal’s thoughts from his book, Advice for a Young Investigator, which was written in Spanish and published in six editions and translated into several languages (Cajal, S. R. y, Reglas y Consejos sobre Investigación Biológica (los tónicos de la voluntad). Fortanet, 1916). I explore the creative genius of Maiman who invented the laser, Mandelbrot who developed the field of fractals, and Einstein who developed special and general relativity.