Some of the techs. I worked with over the years were pretty good.
Some of them would try something and if it didn't work they remembered it didn't work and years later would speak up and say, "We tried that, it didn't work." But they couldn't tell you why it didn't work.
The best ones weren't satisfied to "know" something didn't work. They wanted to figure out why it didn't work. They were the best to work with and learn from because they also worked out and understanding of the process and the equipment and how they work together to make product.
I always got a kick out of telling some guy that something wouldn't work that we were doing it anyway. If he didn't believe me go look at the line and see it running what he said it wouldn't run/make.
Maybe I have a screwed up personality. I always enjoyed doing thing people told me couldn't be done.