事业 · 创业者自述
P.T. 巴纳姆：奋斗与胜利·补录 387
P.T. 巴纳姆《奋斗与胜利》· Struggles and Triumphs · 领导
Late in August, 1851, I was visited at Bridgeport by a gentleman who was interested in an English invention patented in this country, and known as Phillips’ Fire Annihilator. He showed me a number of certificates from men of eminence and trustworthiness in England, setting forth the merits of the invention in the highest terms. The principal value of the machine seemed to consist in its power to extinguish flame, and thus prevent the spread of fire when it once broke out. Besides, the steam or vapor generated in the Annihilator was not prejudicial to human life. Now, as water has no effect whatever upon flame, it was obvious that the Annihilator would at the least prove a great _assistant_ in extinguishing conflagrations, and that, especially in the incipient stage of a fire, it would extinguish it altogether, without damage to goods or other property, as is usually the case with water.
出处：
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50115
定位：Additional excerpt 387 · 核对日期：2026-10-19 · 核验：短摘录
白话
巴纳姆在1851年8月接待了一位推销英国灭火器的人。对方出示了许多英国名人的证明，说这机器能灭火、阻止火势蔓延，而且产生的蒸汽对人无害。巴纳姆一想，水对火焰本来就没用，这机器至少能辅助灭火，尤其在火灾初期，还能不损坏财物。于是他动了心。这里的关键是：面对新发明，别光看证书和名人推荐，要自己判断原理是否合理。巴纳姆觉得有道理，就决定参与。今天遇到类似投资机会，先问：它解决什么问题？原理站得住吗？别被权威背书冲昏头。
上下文
巴纳姆是美国19世纪著名企业家、马戏团老板，他在自传中回忆自己投资灭火器的经历。
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