The Secret of Invention: Where to Start

Here is the second article from the series The Secret of Invention published in the popular Bulgarian magazine "Young Designer", in 1984. There I considered the setting the problem and waiting for the solution.

Where to Start

From the first article of our series, it became clear that:

• Invention is not a supernatupppral phenomenon.
• An inventor can be anyone who comes up with an interesting and new idea, no matter how small it may seem.
• The knowledge gained at school does not automatically lead to inventions but only prepares the ground for its emergence.

We will now consider successively the stages through which an invention passes.

The PROBLEM initiates the creative process, which should ideally lead to the creation of an invention. It can occur in two ways:

In the first way, inventors, figuratively speaking, "wait with folded hands" for the task to come to them. For example, your friend John has an old model car. It lacks a device to signal when the fuel runs out. For this reason, John often stayed on the road and decided to make such a device himself. However, he lacks knowledge and experience, so he turns to you (assuming you are an experienced radio amateur): "Make me an electronic device that will signal when the fuel runs out!"

Attention! You are facing the first danger!

Do not trust problems set by others! They are almost always poorly worded or contain unnecessarily strict restrictions. Usually the goal is rightly chosen but the means to achieve it are wrong. Why should the "electronic" restriction be imposed from the beginning? Are not we used too often to reach for the "tool" of electronics and use it to compensate for the lack of original thinking? The task should be cleared of unnecessary restrictions and take, for example, the following form: "It is necessary, upon reaching a certain level of fuel, to signal to the driver". Note - this is not even a device.

In the second way of setting the problem, the inventor is dissatisfied with "something" and wants to improve it. And really, is not it better to "take aim" at a known device and "expose" its flaws before they even show up? In practice, however, this is very difficult for a number of reasons. First - usually the device is well polished by time and apparently has no flaws (simply because there is nothing better than it). Second, there is a widespread opinion that no one has the right to criticize something if they do not propose a better one. This is one of the most dangerous "brakes" for the emergence of new ideas. Therefore, everyone has the right to doubt the perfection of anything, even if it is the well-known wheel.

Once the problem is correctly formulated, the inventor must imagine the "ideal solution". This is a rather abstract concept that is constructed using the following two rules:
1. Do not think in advance whether it is possible to reach the "ideal solution".
2. Do not think in advance how and in what way the "ideal solution" will be implemented.
In the example we looked at, the "ideal solution" could be phrased like this: "The fuel is just signaling its overrun." In our minds, we imagine the surface of the fuel, which at a given level should emit, for example, an audible signal. Later it may be determined that it is unable to do so, and then we will help it with something, trying to deviate as little as possible from the "ideal solution". This is what an US inventor did, who proposed to drop into the tank 1 (see the figure below) the ball 4, made of light plastic (USA, patent # 3244138). When the fuel level 2 falls below that of the unexpired supply, the ball begins to hit the bottom of the tank and the driver hears an annoying knock. In order not to knock on the side walls, the ball is wrapped along the "equator" with a rubber ring 5, and so that it does not swing, a recess 3 is made at one "pole". A simple, elegant and safe solution.

WAITING FOR THE IDEA, the second stage of the inventive process (stage "Emergence of the idea"), passes painfully. What is needed to successfully solve it? Above all, a huge store of emotional energy. It will allow you to look at things optimistically and will save you from the skepticism of others and your inner self.

Confidence in one's own strength, reaching arrogance, is the first feeling without which success is unthinkable. It should not leave you in the beginning, when those around you laugh at you or convince you that you have taken on an overwhelming task. Don't be surprised if you are thrown remarks like "Are you the smartest..." or "How many people have butted their heads before you and failed, so you..." You will need complete self-confidence and later, after the idea has arisen, when you will hear stories like "It won't work", "It is no use", etc.

Persistence and perseverance are the other qualities that inventors must cultivate in themselves. They help to overcome temporary failures and difficulties, do not allow despair to destroy faith in success. These qualities are supported by a deep inner conviction that the work on the particular task is justified and that the invention is useful to society.

Naturally, these feelings cannot control you all the time. The human being is not an automaton, feelings of oppression and despair are also inherent in him. Therefore, you should know your character well, know when and under what circumstances the tone of your creative activity is raised. It is characteristic of these moments that you are overcome with enthusiasm, many ideas come to your head, and all negative phenomena (fatigue, unwillingness to work) give way under the pressure of enthusiasm. Remember well under what circumstances you fall into this "abnormal" state and strive in every possible way to stimulate its emergence. Whether it occurs in the middle of the night or during the day when you are completely alone or in a crowded crowd is immaterial. It is important to "catch" the moment of inspiration and use it to the maximum.

Eng. Cyril Mechkov

The Secret of Invention

Try to invent! (motivating the reader to become an inventor)

Where to Start (setting the problem and waiting for the solution)

In the Realm of Chance (stimulating the emergence of new ideas through the use of chance)

The Inventor's Tools (examining the set of tools used by the inventor when solving inventive problems)

Expanding the "Toolbox" (considered more "tools" used by inventors in solving creative tasks)

"Crystallization" of the Idea (considering the moment immediately after the emergence of the new idea)

Invention in Action (illustrating the basic principles of invention through examples from my inventive practice)

Web resources

Where to Start (Circuit Idea wikibook)