You need just one genius idea for an invention.
Sounds easy, right? But this idea is the result of a lifelong experience, many years of development for often totally different topics and projects. Lots of reading... And often also some luck.  

After this idea, the hard work of development, of experiments is stating, and then the writing of the patent, and all this is teamwork. SV has excellent people to help. These helping hands are all mentioned on the patent.

So, some people need just one sleepless night for a nice patent, and then others have to dig in and work for several weeks or months. To be a CEO has some good sides here ;-)