Invention
Definition
Invention
Invention is the process of discovering a principle that leads to a technical advance and results in a novel product.
- People invent things for different reasons.
- Sometimes it's for fun, sometimes to fix a problem, and sometimes to make money.
- Let’s break it down.
Creativity and Personal Interest
- Some inventors just love to create.
- They enjoy coming up with new things simply because they find it exciting.
- We made RevisionDojo because it was fun :)
Example
- Theo Jansen designed giant wind-powered "beasts" that walk on beaches. They don’t solve a problem—they just look cool and move in a fascinating way.
- Think of a kid who enjoys building Lego robots, not because they need to, but because they love creating.
Fixing a Problem ("Constructive Discontent")
Sometimes, inventions happen because people are frustrated with how things currently work.
Example
- James Dyson was annoyed that normal wheelbarrows kept sinking in the mud, so he invented a better one—the Dyson Ballbarrow.
- If you've ever struggled to open a bag of chips and thought, "There must be a better way!"—that’s the same idea.
Curiosity ("Is This Even Possible?")
Scientists and engineers sometimes invent things just to see if they can.
Example
- Lasers were originally created for research, but now they’re used in barcode scanners, surgeries, and even measuring distances.
- Imagine wondering, "Can I make a pen that never runs out of ink?" That kind of curiosity leads to new inventions.
Making Money
- Some inventions are about business.
- If an idea can make money, companies will invest in it.
Example
- Gillette made disposable razors because they realized people would keep buying new blades.
- Think about subscription services like Netflix or Spotify. Instead of buying movies or music, people pay monthly—this was a business invention!
Helping Others
Some inventors want to make the world a better place.
Example
- Engineers created plastic bottle light bulbs for homes without electricity.
- They filled bottles with water, put them in roofs, and used sunlight to brighten dark rooms.
- Wheelchairs, hearing aids, and even Braille were all inventions designed to help people.
The "Lone Inventor"
Some inventors work alone, spending years on ideas that others don’t believe in.
Example
Famous examples:
- Leonardo da Vinci—sketched flying machines centuries before airplanes existed.
- Nikola Tesla—had ideas about wireless electricity long before we had Wi-Fi.
Protecting Inventions (Intellectual Property - IP)
- If you invent something, you don’t want someone else stealing your idea. That’s why there are legal protections:
- Patents – Protect how an invention works (like the touchscreen in an iPhone).
- Trademarks – Protect a brand name or logo (like the Nike swoosh).
- Copyright – Protect creative work (like a book or a song).
- Trade secrets – Secret recipes or formulas (like Coca-Cola’s recipe).
- Companies use IP to stay ahead of competitors and make money from their ideas.
Being "First to Market"
The first company to release a new product can become the leader in that category.
Example
- The first desktop computer changed the world. Later, laptops and smartphones followed.
- Tesla was one of the first electric car companies, which gave them an advantage over competitors.
Shelved Technologies
Not all inventions make it to market. Sometimes ideas are put aside because:
- They’re too expensive to produce. (Early electric cars were too costly to make in large numbers.)
- The technology isn’t ready. (Touchscreens existed before smartphones, but they weren’t good enough.)
- People aren’t interested—yet. (Self-driving cars exist, but not everyone trusts them.)
Note
Bottom Line
- Inventors create for many reasons—some for fun, some to solve problems, and some to make money.
- Every invention you use today, from your phone to your shoes, started as an idea in someone’s mind.
Reflection
Self review
- What are the main drivers for invention?
- How does intellectual property benefit businesses?
- Why might a technology be shelved?
