Introduction to systematic inventing

SECTION 1: Introduction

1. All Things are Possible

What is it? An important mindset to have as an innovator and inventor is one of possibility and opportunity. When others react to challenges with impossibility or discouragement, an inventor looks for opportunities and solutions. This mindset fosters optimism about life and the future, empowering you to shape the world according to your vision.

How does it work? As you observe the world, your creativity seeks ways to make improvements. Inventiveness isn't limited to machines or devices; it extends to solving problems in your community or society. An inventor envisions what the world could be and works toward aligning reality with that vision. You aren't powerless in the face of challenges; your creativity gives you control over your environment.

Surround yourself with people who believe in possibilities. Even if someone is pessimistic, encourage them to recognize their creative potential. Together, as a community of inventors and innovators, nothing is impossible.

Case Study In the 1870s, a Bishop at a church gathering proclaimed, “Man has invented everything that can be invented.” However, another attendee suggested that man would soon learn to fly, which the Bishop angrily dismissed as blasphemy, claiming flight was reserved for angels. Ironically, the Bishop’s children, the Wright brothers, would later be the pioneers of human flight.

Statements like “everything has been invented” serve as a reminder not to waste time on impossibilities. But history has shown that nothing is truly impossible.

Activities List five major problems around you—starting from your home, extending to your state and nation. Do you really think you're powerless over these problems? Identify the issues and consider how you might begin solving them.

2. Inventor vs. Expert/Professional

What is it? Many perceive inventors as geniuses, distinct from professionals in established fields. While there isn't an official "inventor" profession, inventors are creative problem-solvers who often cross multiple disciplines. History has shown lawyers inventing in computing, priests in biology, and veterinarians in automotive fields.

Professionals solve standard problems within their fields, but their deep familiarity with their discipline often prevents them from generating truly inventive solutions.

How does it work? As an inventor, your goal is to improve life for yourself and society by solving problems through creativity. Your profession matters less than your passion for making the world a better place.

Professionals in fields like science, technology, and the arts are recognized for pushing the boundaries of their disciplines. They receive prestigious awards such as the Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, or Pulitzer Prize. Yet many of the inventions we take for granted—like the lightbulb or sewing machine—were created by individuals with only basic education, driven by passion from their homes.

You don't need advanced degrees to become an inventor. Skills are helpful, but what's more important is your ability to observe and solve problems. Even children have created inventions that impact our daily lives. Ray Kurzweil, for example, was a prolific teenage inventor in the field of electronic music.

Case Study Chester Carlson, a lawyer, invented the first successful electrostatic dry copier, which was later acquired by Xerox, creating a new industry and revolutionizing office tools.

3. Thinking Inside the Box

What is it? Your solution's creativity often depends on how well you use the resources around you. The more you can innovate with commonly available materials, the more impressive your solutions will be.

This principle is evident in disciplines like mathematics and music, where solutions must stay within established rules. In science, some of the best discoveries use familiar concepts in novel ways. Isaac Newton once said, “I can see farther because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.”

How does it work? When faced with a challenge, look around and ask yourself if you can solve the problem using only available resources. Before seeking external help, can you solve it with what's on hand?

4. Don’t Manage—Invent

What is it? They say hardship is the mother of invention. To stir your inventiveness, you must be uncomfortable with your current situation, either because it's bad or because you're striving for something better. Invention thrives in environments where safety and total contentment are absent.

How does it work? Even when things seem to be going well, allow yourself to dream. Read science fiction and think about how those futuristic worlds could be made real. The people who look ahead without fear of the impossible are the inventors who will change the world.