Sometimes I think that the patent process causes a disconnect with the communication of new innovative ideas, and that it actually hurts inventors more than it helps them. It seems everyone is afraid to talk about their new invention or innovation until they get a patent, because they don’t trust fellow humans to steal their idea or patent for themselves, or go start making money without them. Nevertheless, many inventors I’ve talked to have had ideas or applications for innovations that are not all that unique.
What they consider to be an original thought, really isn’t. Perhaps what the world needs is an inventor’s think tank, a place where people can go register their ideas within the group, and talk over their innovations with other inventors, along with the potential applications in the real world.
Not long ago, I was at one of those Mega-Box-Bookstores, sitting in the coffee shop and sipping on a Latte. I was paging through a great book titled; “The Art of Invention: The Creative Process of Discovery and Design,” by Steven J. Paley, published by Prometheus Books, New York, NY, (2010), 236 pages, ISBN: 978-16161-4223-0.
The author goes into what makes an invention great, and helps the reader to define what an inventor actually is, and the process they use to do their inventing; as well as how to apply their creative genius in such a competitive commercial rat race. The book is as intellectual and philosophical as it is instructive. It’s a book that I would recommend reading. The author himself is an inventor of sorts, and obviously knows what he is talking about.
The author is also an entrepreneur, and several of his inventions have made quite a bit of money. For almost 3 decades he’s accumulated experience in both technology and business. He holds quite a few patents and is currently teaching engineering and robotics to mentally superior children, with extremely high IQs. It almost sounds as if he has created his own inventor’s think tank for the next generation of creative geniuses.
After reading through this book, it occurred to me that maybe adults and grown-ups who consider themselves leading edge inventors, and hyperspacing innovators need a place to go to hone their skills and meet with fellow like-minded individuals. I do recommend that you read this book and think about what the author has to say, and then perhaps if you agree with what I’m saying; that there needs to be a place for innovators to congregate, that you will think about this some more. Please consider it all.