Some in his family saw him as destined to failure. He didn't do well in school. Several of his business ventures failed. He also struck out as the designer of a three-wheeled car, a one-piece bathtub and an unusual home. It wasn't until his fifties that he gained recognition as an inventor, engineer and educator.

The man is Buckminster Fuller, inventor of the geodesic dome -- which unlike any conventional building gets stronger, lighter and cheaper per unit of volume as its size increases. His structure follows the rules of physics but breaks our expectations -- just as Bucky himself did when he didn't achieve "success" until well after his forties.

Others also described as late bloomers include artist Paul Cezanne, chefs Julia Child and Harland Sanders, former president Harry Truman and actors John Houseman and Boris Karloff.

"...when my fingers feel weak, I force myself to do the scales. Afterwards, I usually feel wonderful." --Johnny Costa, jazz pianist, 1922 - 1996

Found while looking for something else: Johnny Costa.com