ctreativethinking

The Science and Magic of Inventing : 

The Science and Magic of Inventing Jae K. (Jim) Park

Definition of "Invention" : 

Definition of "Invention" An invention is any thing, process, or idea that isn't generally and currently known. An invention can be a process or even an idea, so long as it can be made tangible in some way, "without too much skill or ingenuity." On the other hand, the definition eliminates fantasies and wishes, such as time-travel or perpetual motion machines. An invention must have some use or value to society; otherwise what good is it, and how will you sell it?

Inventing by Problem Recognition and Solution : 

Inventing by Problem Recognition and Solution Most inventions are conceived by the following two-step procedure: Recognizing a problem (P) Fashioning a solution (S) Examples: Buried plastic cable-locator strip. Magnetic safety lock for police pistols VCR plus Xerography Organic production of acetone Grocery shopping cart

Inventing by Magic(Accident and Flash of Genius): 

Inventing by Magic (Accident and Flash of Genius) Goodyear invented rubber vulcanization when he accidentally added some sulfur to a rubber melt. A chemist accidentally left a crutcher (soap- making machine) on too long, causing air to be dispersed into the soap mixture. He found that the soap floated when it hardened, thus giving birth to floatable soap bars, such as Ivory® brand. Another chemist accidentally mixed some chemicals together and spilled them, finding they hardened to a flexible, transparent sheet (later known as "cellophane"). When Alexander Fleming accidentally contaminated one of his bacterial cultures with a mold, he was sufficiently alert and scientifically minded to notice that the mold killed the bacteria, so he carried this discovery forward and isolated the active ingredient in the mold, which later was named penicillin. (Unfortunately he didn't patent it, so he got the fame, but not the fortune.)

Making Ramifications of Your Invention: 

Making Ramifications of Your Invention Once you've made an invention, write down the problem and solution involved. Then, try to ramify it – that is, to do it or make it in other ways so it will be cheaper, faster, better, bigger (or smaller), stronger, lighter (or heavier), longer (or shorter) lasting, or even just different.

Solving Creativity Problems : 

Solving Creativity Problems Unfortunately, hardly any invention ever works right or "flies" the first time it's built. You need to build and test it to be aware of the working problems. Edison's views on this subject: Genius? Nothing! Sticking to it is the genius! Any other bright-minded fellow can accomplish just as much if he will stick like hell and remember nothing that's any good works by itself. You've got to make the damn thing work!… I failed my way to success. Everything that can be invented has been invented. --U.S. Patent Office Director, urging President McKinley to abolish the Office (1899). I think there is a world market for about five computers. --Thomas J. Watson, IBM President (1958).

Solving Creativity Problems -continued: 

Solving Creativity Problems -continued Frame it differently Use your right brain Let go of assumptions Meditation Dreams

Solving Creativity Problems -continued: 

Computerized Creating The Hot Tub Method Unstructured Fanaticism Group Brainstorming Increased Self-Confidence Solving Creativity Problems -continued

Contact Other Inventors : 

Contact Other Inventors In recent years, many inventors' organizations have developed or sprung up in order to provide inventors with information and ideas, model makers, lists of searchers, speakers, patent attorneys, etc., as well as to sponsor various seminars and trade fairs where inventions can be exhibited. One or more of these organizations may provide you with invaluable assistance in your inventing efforts.

Beware of the Novice Inventor's "PGL Syndrome" : 

Beware of the Novice Inventor's "PGL Syndrome" Paranoia (excessive suspicion of other people's motives): makes them afraid to discuss or show their invention to others--some even go as far as refusing to disclose it to a patent attorney. Greed/Overestimation: Laziness: To be successful, you usually have to record your invention properly, build and test a working model (desirable but not always necessary), file a patent application, seek out suitable companies to produce and market the invention, and work like hell to sell the invention to one of these companies.

Don't Bury Your Invention : 

Don't Bury Your Invention The man with a new idea is a crank – until the idea succeeds. --Mark Twain For an idea that does not at first seem insane, there is no hope. --Albert Einstein