The Desire to Create

This representative publication, released on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Tomáš Baťa’s birth, presents a selection of 149 timeless thoughts from one of the most influential figures in Czechoslovak history. The book portrays Baťa not only as an entrepreneur, but above all as a man who believed in responsibility, self-development, service to society, and the courage to create the future. Each thought is accompanied by authentic historical photographs that transport readers into the atmosphere of Baťa’s Zlín and the life of the Baťa company. In this way, the publication connects inspiring quotations with the visual story of an era that fundamentally shaped modern approaches to business, education, and leadership. A symbolic element of the book is the “149 + 1” concept — the final blank page belongs to the reader. It invites each person to become a co-creator of their own life and to formulate their own thought, value, or vision for the future. The Desire to Create is not merely a book about history. It is an invitation to reflect on how Baťa’s principles of responsibility, discipline, courage, and humanity can still be applied in today’s world.