66 Across
NYT Daily • August 4, 2025
Jumping-off point for an inventor
Answer:
IDEA
Hint:
["Think of what first sparks innovation."]
Explanation:
The clue "Jumping-off point for an inventor" leads to the answer "IDEA" through a straightforward logical connection. A "jumping-off point" is a starting point or the beginning of something. For an inventor, the starting point of any new creation or innovation is typically an "IDEA." The inventor begins with an idea, which serves as the foundation for developing a new product, process, or concept. Therefore, the clue cleverly guides the solver to think about what initiates an inventor's process, leading to the answer "IDEA."