According to Albert Einstein himself, the following is the most characteristic anecdote that could be told of the physicist (1879 - 1955):

"Einstein and an assistant, having finished a paper, searched the office for a paper clip.  They finally found one, too badly bent for use.  They looked for an implement to straighten it, and  after opening many more drawers came upon a whole box of clips.  Einstein at once shaped one into a tool to straighten the bent clip.  His assistant, puzzled, asked why he was doing this when there was a whole boxful of usable clips. 'Once I am set on a goal it becomes difficult to deflect me,' said Einstein."

~ THE LITTLE, BROWN BOOKS OF Anecdotes. Clifton Fadiman General Editor, 1985.