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  • Inventor Software

    Inventor Software

    We’ll talk here about the best inventor software on offer for use in different steps of the invention process.

    Brainstorming Inventor Software

    bubbl.us

    bubbl.us is a free and very easy to use online mindmapping service. Within minutes you can have a nice looking and multi-leveled mindmap. You can also save, print, import and export your mindmaps for modification or future reference.

    Microsoft Visio

    We’ll speak about Microsoft Visio in more detail in the Patenting Software section below. Besides 2D design work, Visio can be used for mindmapping and brainstorming, and thus is great for the creation and ideas phase of the invention process. It allows you to build keyword hierarchies in an easy to use and organized manner, and moreover lets you order them and re-organize them if necessary. The advantage of using Visio as opposed to, say, just sketching a mindmap, is that you can always come back to your brainstorm  and modify or re-engineer it at a later stage.

    SmartDraw

    SmartDraw is an excellent piece of software which we’ll talk more about below, and it works in similar fashion to Visio for brainstorming purposes. Check out some SmartDraw brainstorming examples to see how easy it is to brainstorm and mind-map with it.

    Inventor Software For Sketching

    In this section we’re going to look specifically at tablet apps. Tablets such as the iPad have become incredible tools for inventors, as they allow you to sketch ideas on the go using powerful sketching software.

    Sketchbook Pro

    Sketchbook Pro is one of the best iPad and Android apps out there for invention and idea sketching. It provides multiple types of digital pencils, brushes, markers so that you can freely sketch your ideas and innovations in a way that works for your needs.

    Check out this video to give you a good overview of how Sketchbook Pro works:

    Paper by FiftyThree

    Paper is another amazing sketching app that focuses on simplicity and a provides a minimalist design interface. It allows you to organize your sketches into digital ‘books’ in a very cool and effective way. Use it if you like to make lots of quick sketches: it beats a physical sketchpad any day.

    Invention Product Design Software

    Google Sketchup

    Google Sketchup is a simple yet powerful piece of 3D modeling inventor software, and  the free version is a brilliant way for inventors to start modeling their designs into 3D objects. Some of its features include conversion of 2D designs into 3D, exact measurements for prototyping and production purposes, grouping and ‘clipping together’ of distinctly designed components, texture and color surfacing, animations and presentations of designs and even a feature to cut away and go inside a design.

    Google Sketchup comes with lots of free training videos (as well as real-world training), and here’s an example of one to see how it works:

    AutoDesk Inventor

    Inventor software AutoDesk Inventor is a state-of-the-art 3D CAD design system that allows you to design, control and even simulate your inventions before building produce physical prototypes (sometimes even preventing the need to product a physical prototype). Its numerous features include converting 2D CADs into 3D, assembly design, motion simulation and mold design. It also comes with video tutorials that guide you through all features of the inventor software package.

    AutoDesk Inventor software comes in different versions and different prices, and it’s one disadvantage is that it’s quite pricey (from $999 onwards). However if you use it to its full capabilities, and put in the time to learn how to use all its features, it’s worth the price. Take advantage of the free trial if you want to test it out.

    Here’s a very long but very comprehensive demonstration of using the invention software to design an LED Lamp:

    Patent Design Software

    Microsoft Visio

    If you have a PC with Windows installed, one of the best patenting design software you can get is Microsoft Visio (available in both standard and professional versions). Visio is a very powerful design tool, which is primarily used for 2D design work. As a result it allows you to draw up virtually anything that would be required for 2D patent document diagrams. This includes patent diagrams, flowcharts and scenario charts. Visio allows anyone to build professional looking designs using existing templates and pre-drawn shapes. For the most part you can do these designs without requiring the services of a professional draughtsman.

    If you are wanting to get to grips with patent designing, particularly when using a design tool like Visio, it always helps to do a patent search.

    Here’s a Visio demonstration video:

    SmartDraw

    SmartDraw is the non-Microsoft equivalent of Visio, and some people prefer it because it is an independent company and regularly updates its software (Visio has much longer product cycles). It can do virtually everything that Visio can do in terms of 2D design work, and includes hundreds of templates and pre-designed shapes. In other words its a great piece of inventor software, and allows you to come up with professional looking designs without having to be a professional designer.

    Here’s a SmartDraw demonstration video that will give you more of an idea of its capabilities:

    That’s it for now folks. Come back to see updates and new inventor software as it becomes available. Good luck!

    inventor software

     

  • What To Invent

    What To Invent

    In the inventing spirit, but not sure what to invent? Let’s get those inventive juices flowing, and spur you into the realms of innovation.

    The ‘What To Invent’ Game

    what to invent

    One of the best ways to invent is to see it as a game. That way you’ll be having fun, which increases your chances at being creative. You can play this game by yourself or with a group of people. If you’re playing with a bunch, you can either play individually or in small groups.

    Step 1: Find A Theme That Interests You

    One of the best ways of determining what to invent is to begin with a particular area, theme or topic in mind, and innovate from there. You are always going to invent better when you start with something that interests you. There’s no point in trying to come up with ideas for door knobs when you really don’t care too much about them.

    For example, if you are a pet lover, pick the topic of pet inventions. If you like golf, think about golfing inventions.

    Step 2: Write Down What You Know

    Get hold of a pad of paper, do this on your computer, or record your voice, and start jotting down (or speaking out) every kind of product or device related to your theme that you know of. The trick is not to think too much about it, but just to write (or speak). Try do this as fast as possible, and write down up to 20 existing products. If you like, you could even sketch them (which is really good for the visual part of your brain).

    Step 3: Write Down What You Don’t Know

    This may have already cropped up in the previous step, namely that new ideas for what to invent could be coming to mind based on the products you have reviewed. This step is about recording them in the same manner as step 2, and also as rapidly as possible. The trick is not to censor yourself. Just write down, sketch or speak as fast as possible whatever comes to mind by way of improving on a product or invention that already exists. Even if it makes absolutely no sense, get it down. For instance if you wrote down ‘golf bag’ in Step 2, imagine the varieties of what to invent around this can come up for you in this step.

    If nothing comes to mind, don’t get stressed or concerned. It’s probable that things are coming to mind but you are thinking ‘that’s not a good idea’ or ‘that doesn’t relate to the products at hand’. Close your eyes for a few moments, let go of all thoughts and feelings, and start step 3 again. I promise you that ideas will start springing to mind.

    Keep going with this step for at least 20 minutes, and I remind you not to censor yourself and let the ideas flow freely.

    Step 4: Review

    Now go back and take a look at what you’ve written (or spoken). Take a look at the existing products, and take a look at the ideas of what to invent that you have written down. You may be amazed at what you see, even if you thought it didn’t make much sense at the time.

    If you are playing this in a group, now’s a good time to share with the others what you’ve come up with.

    Play it again, and again

    Each time you play the what to invent game by yourself or with a group, you’ll get better at it. It can be really fun to play in a group as everyone encourages each other and it can be really fun.

     

  • How To Be An Inventor

    How To Be An Inventor

    how to be an inventorIt’s not a cliche, nor is it some kind of marketing gambit, to say that anyone can be an inventor. Learning how to be an inventor is a process just like learning how to ride a bicycle or learning how to draw. Some people say that you need some special kind of ‘talent’ to draw, that it is innate and that you can’t ‘learn’ it. Yet many books, courses and educators have proven that anyone can draw.

    The exact same logic applies to inventing and the invention process. You can learn how to be an inventor using a combination of techniques, practice and persistance.  But firstly you need to know what an inventor actually is.

    What Is An Inventor?

    An inventor is someone who improves upon the order of things. He or she helps people achieve their goals in a better, more efficient way. Sometimes he or she improves people’s lives by an order of magnitude.

    Here is the mindset that an inventor (i.e. you) should have:

    1. Something exists, or people do something in a particular way;
    2. I can improve upon this thing or the way that people achieve a certain goal.

    That’s it. That’s the essence of becoming an inventor. But to actually innovate requires a certain mindset, namely one of creativity and imagination.

    Cultivate a Creativity Mindset

    Our brains are incredibly complex and enormously powerful, and can be honed to become adept at virtually anything. Becoming an inventor requires what one might call having a creative mindset. It is about switching on creativity like you would switch on a tap. I’ll go through a few simple ways to do this below. These can all be used together, or used individually.

    How to be an inventor with effective creativity techniques

    The 24-hour Notepad

    Creative people are constantly scribbling or doodling away on a notepad (or even on their phones or iPads). Sometimes it’s the scribbling that leads them to be creative, and not necessarily that being creative that causes them to scribble. Compulsive scribbling should become a habit of yours if you want to learn how to be an inventor.

    Get a notepad that is small enough for you to carry it around with you day and night (keep it next to your bed if you wake up in the night with an invention idea), and write down ideas or thoughts as they come to you. If you wait and think you’ll write it down later, chances are you’ll forget (just like having a dream). Jotting down thoughts and ideas reinforces the neural networks in your brain responsible for innovation and originality.  So the more you write, the more creative you can become.

    Bear in mind that you must refrain (as much as you can) from censoring anything that pops into your head. Censoring is like a killer to ideas. If you stroll past a washing line and suddenly have a brainspark for an automated line that covers itself when it rains, don’t think ‘Oh that’s a dumb idea, no-one will ever go for it’. Just write it down, and in doing so send a message to your brain that it has the right to be inventive and must continue being so.

    Think Visually By Doodling

    This leads on from the notepad. It is important for you to doodle in learning how to be an inventor. Doodling does incredible things for the imagination. I’m not talking about becoming the next Rembrandt, I’m just saying you should cultivate a habit of thinking visually and thereby developing your imagination. So doodle, sketch, copy out the neighbor’s lemon-tree, and develop a visual understanding of the world.  A secret in the art of how to be an inventor is that inventors keep their eyes wide open (in their mind’s eye and through their real eyes). They look at the world, they see how things can be improved, and they draw a heck of a lot. Often the difference between an old and a new invention is a very minor improvement or difference between two things, and that difference sometimes comes about by sketching the first invention (say a pen) and then adding something extra to it (say an eraser on the pen or a way to clip the pen onto a sleeve). Doodling is a simple but effective trick in discovering how to be an inventor.

     Do Puzzles

    Puzzles you say? Puzzles help you to stop thinking in words (you can’t talk your way through a puzzle can you?) and to think in terms of abstractions. What’s one of the best ways to fall asleep at night if you have thoughts racing through your head? That’s right, a puzzle. It immediately causes you to switch off the words and switch on the imagination. How to be an inventor is a bit like solving a puzzle isn’t it? The puzzle of how to do something better or in an original manner.

    Improve Upon the Order of Things

    Now that you can start becoming more creative, it’s time to also apply some logical process to the inventing process. And that is thinking deeply about how things can be improved upon.

    Read up and study existing patents

    There’s a whole section on this site dedicated to patents and patenting. And why am I daft in suggesting that patents will teach you how to be an inventor (aren’t patents boring legal documents and not creative exciting processes of imagination?). Well the simple answer is that you learn a lot from experts. And inventors who have patented inventions (often tens or hundreds of times), are experts. See how they make a case for the uniqueness of their inventions, see how they explain how things are currently done and how their invention has improved upon the order of things. Once you read a lot of patent documents, you begin to see how inventors’ minds work (see the definition above to see how it links to this mindset).

    Pick something, and see how it can be improved

    Anything can be improved. Learning how to be an inventor requires the ability to see something, identify problems with it, and think of ways to improve upon it.

  • Invention of Soccer

    Invention of Soccer

    Many people are interested in the invention of soccer. While many sports have their roots in recent history, some sports can be traced back thousands of years to civilizations in the B.C. era. Organized athletics have been practiced by just about every civilization, from rudimentary team games to global tournaments found today.

    The game of soccer is played worldwide and has become one of the greatest sports inventions of all times. While no single person can be credited with the invention of soccer, it is known that the game of kicking a ball around on a field that eventually developed into soccer was played over 3000 years ago.

    The invention of soccer likely has its roots in ancient Asia. The earliest form of a soccer type game is dated back to Japan in the year 1004 B.C. Exact statistics and content of the game is unknown except that a ball was kicked around from one person to the next. In 50 B.C., a Chinese text was written which explains a game played between two teams, one from China and one from Japan.

    The game described was very similar to that of soccer, and the text can be found in the Ethnological Museum in Germany. Greece and ancient Rome were also said to have played a game resembling soccer, but back then a team could consist of anything up to 27 players. One point of certainty is that the game we refer to as soccer was played in 611 A.D in Kyoto, Japan.

    The invention of modern soccer, or football as it is better known outside the US, traces back to Britain over 1500 years ago. It is rumoured that the soccer ball consisted of inflated animal bladders and, allegedly, human heads. Solid proof confirming the latter practice has not yet been found. Claims exist that animal heads were also used as soccer balls, to represent a fertility rite during the pre-Christian times.

    It is still not certain from where exactly the invention of soccer originated, who created the rules or how many players a team should have, but by the year 1066, soccer was a well established game. Various countries would play soccer according to their own set of rules but the idea of scoring a goal in your opponents net was a basic rule everywhere. During the 1300s, soccer was a street game and played much more roughly than it is today. In 1314 King Edward II outlawed soccer, but the game was renewed a decree by leaders that followed.

    The invention of soccer underwent numerous adaptations over the next few centuries, but the invention of modern soccer has its roots in 19th century England. Several football clubs existed, each playing their own set of variations of the game.

    In order to facilitate tournament play, they collaborated with each other to form a firm set of standard rules. On October 26, 1863, several clubs met and jointly established the first “universal” code. This code formed the basis of the rules that are used globally today.

    From the simple kicking of ball, to the sport we know today, the invention of soccer has led to one of most popular sports in the world. The most well known professional soccer league is called the ‘MLS’ and every four years there is a soccer world cup.

    All the history behind the game just goes to show, not all playing around is just a simple game that goes unnoticed. Football was created for fun and entertainment; today many people aspire to become of the world’s greatest players.

  • Hamburger Invention

    Hamburger Invention

    The development of foods is a process that often gets overlooked. Foods we consider to be part of our every day lives, and have never had to live without, often got their starts from innovative people coming up with new ways to eat familiar foods. Take, for example, the hamburger invention.

    A hamburger is a popular kind of sandwich. It is most commonly made with a beef patty that is fried, grilled, steamed or broiled. The patty is served between a bun with condiments such as salads and sauce between the bun as well. Hamburger also refers to the meat itself – which is ground beef.

    There are many different theories as to how and where the first hamburger invention took place. The ground meat used to make hamburgers is traced back to the Mongols. Much like the hamburger of today, the Mongols’ version started as a convenient way to eat on the go. The Mongol cavalry often traveled long distances and sometimes did not dismount their horses for days. Because they needed food that could be eaten easily with one hand and without dismounting, they placed meat patties under their saddles. While riding, the meat would get tenderized. The meat was then eaten raw.

    When the Mongols invaded Moscow, they brought with them this type of meat. The Russian’s renamed the meat ‘steak tartare’. This is because the Mongols were called Tartars. Over the years the dish was adapted and modified with raw eggs and chopped onions.

    In the 1600’s, ships from Hamburg, Germany began visiting the Russian ports. The Russian dish of steak tartare was taken back to Germany and called ‘tartare steak’.

    In the late 1800’s, sailors who had visited Hamburg started calling the meat ‘ Hamburg steak’. The hamburger invention process took a significant leap when food stalls in New York City offered this dish in the hopes of attracting German sailors. Immigrants from Germany to the United States also brought along Hamburg steak. The reason why Hamburg steak was so popular was because the German’s flavored low-grade minced beef, therefore making it affordable to the lower classes as well.

    The meat was then cooked to form a filet, and eventually came to be known as ‘Hamburger’. The hamburger invention was conceived.

    Nowadays the word ‘hamburger’ can be used to describe the sandwich or the meat patty itself. While Hamburg in Germany is given credit for the type of meat used in hamburgers, there are many claims as to where the first modern hamburger originated. One such claim of the hamburger invention is in Wisconsin. It is said that in 1885 Charlie Nagreen tried to sell fried meatballs at a county fair. Because people found them hard to eat, he flattened them and served them as a sandwich.

    Another claim to the hamburger invention was made by a man by the name of Louis Lunch. He claimed that he invented this meal in Connecticut in the 1970’s, as a quick meal for businessmen and office workers. His hamburger invention, however, was made with toasted bread and not a round bun.

    During the first World War, the hamburger’s popularity plummeted in the United States, largely due to anti-German attitudes. The hamburger was also given the alternate name of ‘salisbury steak’ during that period. The modern day fast food hamburger became popular when Ray Croc bought the McDonald’s chain and opened his first franchise in the mid-1950’s. The term ‘burger’ now refers to a round bun with any type of filling, be it chicken, fish or vegetarian. A hamburger with cheese is commonly known as a ‘cheeseburger’.

    Like many food items that we take as a given, the hamburger invention process was a long and gradual process, with people using ideas they learned from others and adapting to their own particular purposes. From a rudimentary convenience food to today’s quickly-prepared fast food meal, the invention of the hamburger demonstrates the adaptability of foods, and the innovation that goes into improving them.

  • Invention of Pizza

    Invention of Pizza

    The invention of pizza cannot date back to a specific time and place, the main reason being that pizza was part of an evolution and evolved into that which we eat today.

    The controversy surrounding the invention of pizza, and what the first pizza was made of, may possibly never be solved, but if we look more closely at the invention of the ‘modern-world’ pizza we all know, then it is easier to provide facts.

    Dating back many centuries, pizza was a popular peasant meal in Italy. Years ago, as early as 1000 AD, the word pizza was used by the Romans, which actually meant pie. Ancient Romans would typically have meals consisting of flat bread with other food items on top of it. This form of pizza is what we today call ‘focaccia’.

    The invention of pizza started in Naples in 1830 through a shop called the Port Alba. This shop still sells pizza to date. The pizza that was sold was the basic pizza we know as the Margarita. It consisted of flat bread, pasted with tomato and topped with cheese. Of course, its taste does differ today.

    Raffaele Esposito of Naples created the modern day pizza in Campania, Italy in 1889. This new type of pizza was specially prepared during the visits of Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita. It was no longer a meal for peasants.

    America , a popular country known for its love of pizza only opened their first ‘Pizza Hut’ during the late 1930’s, run by Italian immigrants. The first American states to have pizza were New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia.

    The pizza was sold the same way as it was in Naples, using metal washtubs. A peddler would walk the streets selling pieces of pizza for 2c. Soon after, grocery shops and cafés were also selling pizza. The invention of pizza had taken the world by storm.

    The invention of pizza truly changed the face of the world, and unfortunately, not all in a great way. Pizza is known to contain fat and cholesterol, a large health problem for many Americans. Pizza is a fast food, it is affordable, and tastes great.

    Many Americans have contributed their weight gain to pizza. It is also a food that is available anywhere. We live our lives to make it as convenient and easy as possible; after all, why do extra work when there is a simpler solution? Well, pizza is definitely a simpler solution for many, so even though it was created many centuries ago, it actually helped define modernism in today’s world.

     

  • History of Invention of Television

    History of Invention of Television

    The invention of television history and all the pioneers with their innovations and brilliant ideas changed the way the world would work forever. Today, education, entertainment and lazy afternoons are all learned and spent in front of the television.

    Television evolved from black and white screens with no sound, to 42” plasma screens with surround sound! There have, of course, been many years of technology and bright minds in between, but the person who was the first to think of and develop something so great was truly an innovator.

    There are many contributors to the invention of the television but the history of the invention of the television lies with Philo Farnsworth. Born in 1906, Philo was an American engineer who was interested in picture transmission and had thought of the idea at the tender age of 14. He was the very first inventor to transmit a television image in 1927.

    The transmission of the television image was done using a dissector tube. It would, however, be unfair to say that the history of the television lies with one sole inventor; in fact, history of the invention of the television dates on a timeline. Different people with various ideas and inventions together created the phenomenon we know today.

    Mechanical television history started back in 1884 where a man by the name of Paul Nipkow developed a rotating-disc technology that could send pictures over wire. This was the very first electromechanical television scanning system but was rejected due to improved inventions.

    On June 14, 1923, Charles Jenkins claimed to have invented a way to transmit silhouette images. In 1897, Karl Braun invented the cathode ray tube, still used in television sets to this day. The history of invention of television can be contributed to many great minds. It was not just a single idea that came to the fore, but rather a combination of pioneers’ inventions.

    Colour Television’s invention history began in the early 1900’s and received a German patent in 1904. It did not however generate great interest until 1925 when Zworykin filed a patent for an electronic color television. Louis Parker received a patent for a changeable television receiver in 1948 and cable television started in Pennsylvania in the late 1940’s.

    Whilst discussing the history of invention of television, one should also take care to mention about the extra ‘equipment’ we cannot go without. The remote control, known as ‘Lazy Bones’ was developed in 1950 by a company called Zenith Radio Corporation. Since then, history of invention of television has continued, from the black and white screens to the plasma screens, the history of inventions for television will never end, and technology will always improve.

     

  • Invention Of Softball

    Invention Of Softball

    While many sports have roots that trace back to ancient athletics, some have clear beginnings in modern history. Like the invention of softball.

    As we’ve increasingly embraced athletics, teamwork and good old-fashioned fun, new sports have cropped up to keep us challenged and entertained. This constant search for new ways to play led to many developments, including the invention of softball.

    The invention of softball happened Chicago in 1887 by George Hancock.

    On a windy day in November, George Hancock was at the Farragut Boat Club along with a group of Harvard and Yale alumni. The alumni were anxiously awaiting the results of a football game played between Harvard and Yale.

    When the results came through of Harvard’s defeat, an excited Yale supporter threw an old boxing glove at a Harvard alumni. The Harvard alumni then hit it back with a stick.

    This sparked an idea in George Hancock’s mind. Hancock, a reporter for the Chicago Board of Trade, tied the laces tightly together on the old boxing glove to make a makeshift ball and used a broomstick as a bat. He then used a piece of chalk to mark out the playing area in the gymnasium of the Farragut Boat Club. He marked out a smaller version of a baseball field. The players were divided into teams and they then played a game that was like a smaller, indoor version of baseball.

    The invention of softball had gotten under way; that was the first softball game played, with a final score of 41-40.

    That day may have been the first and last day of the softball invention process if Hancock did not pursue his idea. However, by the next week, Hancock had created a rubber-tipped bat and an oversized ball.

    He then made permanent markings on the gymnasium floor and wrote up a book of rules for the sport he named ‘indoor baseball’. The game gained immediate popularity both locally and internationally. ‘Indoor baseball’ was the precursory name for the invention of softball.

    The first league to be formed was in Toronto and a published Indoor Baseball Guide also appeared within 1887. Hancock’s new game was first played outdoors in the spring of 1888. It was called indoor-outdoor.

    Due to its increasing appeal and popularity, in 1889 Hancock was prompted to write another set of indoor-outdoor rules.

    Although Hancock’s game was slowly spreading throughout the country, the efforts of a Fire Department lieutenant by the name of Louis Rober caused the invention of softball game to flourish. Rober, of Minneapolis, was looking for a sport or game to keep the firemen fit when they were not working. He marked out a plot of vacant land alongside the fire station with bases and a pitching distance of 35 feet.

    Rober and his team played the game with a small sized ball and a bat with a diameter of two inches. The game became very popular among fire stations and they started playing against each other. Rober’s first organized team was called the Kittens, and the game was then called ‘Kitten Ball’ until 1925.

    In 1925 the game was renamed diamond ball by the Minneapolis Parks Board. Softball only got its name in 1926 when this name was suggested by a Denver YMCA official called William Hakanson. In 1933, organized softball tournaments were arranged within America such that state and national teams were formed.

    The first national softball tournament took place in Chicago in conjunction with the World’s Fair. Fifty-five teams participated in the tournament, with subdivisions of fastballers, slow pitchers and women.

    With George Hancock’s simple invention of a new game, softball has grown into a national pastime enjoyed by both sexes of all ages. As new interests and ideas develop, sports are adapted and designed, leading to a constant change in the athletic landscape.

    So now you’ve learned about the invention of softball, how about a game?

  • Invention Of The Ice Cream Cone

    Invention Of The Ice Cream Cone

    There has been much controversy about where the invention of the ice cream cone began. What is certain, however, is that edible ice-creams cones have been enjoyed by people for over one hundred years.

    Conical shaped ice-cream cones are the typically shaped cones people all around the world have learned to love.

    Paper, glass and metal cones were used for serving ice cream during the 19th century in Germany, Britain and France. During this time ice cream was only affordable to the wealthy, due to its luxurious ingredients and storage expenses.

    During the time of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s ice cream became more popular and less expensive, and vendors on the street were selling ice cream to anyone who could afford to pay a penny.

    History of the invention of the ice cream cone dates back to the year 1904, at the St. Louis World fair where Ernest A. Hamwi had a store that was selling a crisp waffle pastry known as zalabis. The store of Mr Hamwi was next to an ice cream vendor.

    During this time ice cream was immensely popular and eventually the owner of the vendor ran out of dishes in which to serve the ice-cream. Mr Hamwi stated that he folded one of his pastries into a conical shape, allowed it to cool and placed some ice cream into it. The invention of the ice cream cone was underway.

    The people buying the ice cream were thrilled, and it became one of the greatest food inventions in modern times. Today, one can choose from a variety of cones ranging from the waffle cone to the sugar cone and cake cup cone.

    Controversy surrounding the actual invention of the ice cream cone still exists today, it is said that Hamwi may possibly have sold the first edible ice cream cone but he is not the first person to have patented the idea. It has also been argued that during the night of the fair on 23 July 1904, there were over 50 stores selling ice cream and it is possible that more than one was using waffle pastry as an ice cream cone.

    Nick Kabbaz, a Syrian immigrant, has said that he and his brother Albert were the creators of the first edible cone. Apparently, Mr Kabbaz and his brother were working for Mr Hamwi at his booth the night of the fair. Mr Kabbaz claims that he came up with the idea of eating ice cream with the waffle pastry and when folding it, created the iconical cone shape. Kabbaz eventually became the president of an ice cream cone company in St. Louis. Either way, a definite certainty is that the popularity of the cone is ascribable to the St. Louis World Fair in 1904.

    Previous recordings of the ice cream cone have been found which makes the settling of the dispute of the first cone ever created even harder to solve. Dating back to as early as 1807 a painting was found which showed a woman eating from what looked like a cone.

    In 1888 Mrs Marshall’s cookbook mentions the use of a cone to serve ice cream, in the year 1902 Antonio Valvona patented a machine creating ice cream biscuit cups. Despite stories told and untold about the invention of the ice cream cone we do know for sure that the cone has been popular for over a century and that a little creation as such created a huge and successful enterprise.

  • Invention Of The Telephone Timeline

    Invention Of The Telephone Timeline

    Exploring the invention of the telephone timeline is beneficial to anyone who is interested in how the telephone originated. The world of communications has undergone significant changes, especially in the last couple of centuries. Possibly one of the greatest leaps in communication advances was the invention of the telephone.

    The invention of the telephone timeline of the process underscores the amount of work and innovation that goes into major technological advances.

    The telephone is a means of communication that has revolutionized our everyday world. A telephone is a device that sends out and receives sound. It is most commonly used to send and receive voice over a distance.

    These days, most telephones function through a large network where electrical signals are transmitted. This allows a phone user to contact almost any other phone user.

    Exactly who invented the first modern telephone still remains a dispute to this day. Among those given credit for the invention of the telephone are Alexander Graham Bell, Antonio Meucci, Johann Philipp Reis and Elisha Gray.

    They all worked independently of each other, yet worked towards a common goal: allowing people to communicate over large distances.

    The progression of the invention of the telephone timeline can viewed as follows:

    • It was proven that vibrations on metal could be converted into electrical impulses by Michael Faraday.
    • Antonio Meucci demonstrated a telephone-like device to people in Havana.
    • In Germany, Johann Philipp Reis built a device that was capable of converting sound into electricity and back into sound again.
    • Meucci files an intention to patent.
    • Elisha Gray founded the Western Electric Manufacturing Company.
    • Thomas Edison builds a rheostat based on the principle of pressure on carbon molecules causing variable resistance.
    • An electromagnetic device that can transmit musical notes is invented by Gray.
    • 1876 Gray puts forward a caveat or notice of intention to patent for the telephone.
    • 1876 About 2 hours after Gray, Alexander Graham Bell puts forward his application to patent the telephone.
    • Alexander Graham Bell’s US patent is granted. The first full sentence was transmitted through the telephone on the 6 th of March 1876 by Bell. The first sentence was ‘Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.’

    After the first sentence was transmitted through a telephone, many advances were then made to get to the telephone system we use today. Bell founded the Bell Telephone Company, which then became AT&T – the world’s largest telephone company. The first telephone system, or exchange, was installed in 1877 in Connecticut.

    This allowed communication between people who had telephones. This was done through a large switchboard with operators who would connect the calls manually. The first automatic switchboard system was installed in 1892 by Almon Strowger of Kansas City.

    William Gray patented the first coin-operated telephone in 1889. In the early 1960’s, touch-tone home telephones were introduced. Low-cost transistors made this possible.

    The positioning of the numbers on the phone was done after extensive tests to determine what number layout will increase dialing speed and reduce errors when dialing.

    In 1965 Terri Pall invented the cordless telephone. The base unit is connected to the landline. The base unit then communicates to the remote handsets via a radio signal.

    Although this allows the user to communicate within a certain range of the base, it does not work during power outages due to the power supply needed.

    In 1978, AT&T began testing a mobile phone system. These systems are cell structures, which means that a handset can communicate to a cell-site via radio. If the handset gets out of range from a particular cell-site then communication is taken up by a closer cell-site without any interruptions to the call.

    The mobile, or cellular telephone, was introduced nationwide throughout the United States in 1983.

    Through the efforts of many people, and with many changes and innovations occurring along the way, the timeline of the invention of the telephone timeline extends into the future as new technologies and advances are developed.

    This demonstrates the ever changing face of innovation, and the fact that the process of invention is never truly complete.

  • Marconi’s Invention

    For many years, in fact, before many of us were born, the radio existed. We do not have a reason to ask where it comes from or why it works, as long as it is playing that which we love, why ask questions? The reality is though that discovery of electromagnetic waves dates back to September 1895.

    A young man, at the age of 21, by the name of Guglielmo Marconi discovered that electromagnetic waves could be transmitted and that an antenna could receive a signal. During Marconi’s first experiment, distances did not exceed 100 meters and the electromagnetic waves were sent in straight lines without any intervening objects.

    This was the beginning of something magnificent.

    Marconi wanted to show that electromagnetic transmission is possible even with an obstacle in the way; this theory was rejected by scientists who said that his idea of using ether was preposterous and that it simply just could not be done. The scientists were working with theory but Marconi would rather just practice his technique.

    Marconi was performing all of his experiments at his father’s estate. He decided to place a transmitter near to the estate and a receiver more than 5 miles away, at the back of a hill. This was most definitely the biggest intervening obstacle.

    Mignani was Marconi’s servant, he was instructed to stand at the receiver and fire a rifle shot should the signal be received. Sure enough, a rifle shot fired and the letter ‘S’ of the Morse alphabet traveled through space for the first time in history.

    Unfortunately, Marconi’s invention was not received well by everyone and this included Italy, the minister of the country had said that electromagnetic waves were in no way suitable for telecommunications. Marconi knew that his discovery was something great, he traveled to the place his mother was born, England, and here he was supported and financed for furthering and bettering his creation.

    Marconi’s invention was patented in 1897; he continued with his experiments and eventually found himself sending signals for over 150 miles. This is what was known as radiotelegraphy.

    Marconi’s invention inspired many other people, after his death in 1943 Marconi left behind individuals who had learnt about the possibilities in this world, about the existence of that which we cannot see.

    Marconi’s patents have established many problems and many people claim to have invented items patented under Marconi, but in the end, radiotelegraphy changed our world and it was because of this magnificent man. It may have started as a project in the garden but it is now a main source of communication for people all around the world.

    Truly an invention like none other.

  • Chemical Process Invention

    When we hear the word “invention”, the first thing to come to mind is usually images of new and innovative gadgets. We often think of inventions as being easily identifiable, tangible objects geared towards making our lives easier.

    While it’s true that the nature of invention is to improve, refine or even reinvent the way we do things, it’s not always immediately obvious when we’re benefiting from someone’s invention.

    A commonly overlooked area of innovation is the advances made in the world of materials, such as the invention of a chemical process or the development of altogether new.

    With the development of any new invention or idea comes the need to protect the inventor’s hard work. Especially in the realm of chemical process invention or the composition of new materials, many years of research and testing may be involved.

    Without the protection of a patent, inventors are at risk of having others benefit (and profit) from their labors without fair credit.

    Innovations involving new or re-engineered materials can be protected in various ways.

    Composition of matter claims protect new, or significantly altered materials.

    An inventive use claim would protect innovations in the way existing materials are used. Process claims protect the interests of inventors who develop new ways of creating or working with materials.

    A brand new material, such as a new synthetic, could fall under the “composition of matter” category. Whether it’s a new blend of fabrics to create an altogether new fabric, or a new mixture of metals forming a revolutionary alloy, composition of matter inventions can have a profound impact on the way things are done.

    Changes in manufacturing processes can sometimes lead to significant changes in the material being produced, sometimes even enhancing its traits and qualities.

    Coming up with new ways to use known materials can also be protected under patent. While many materials are only used in very specific ways, there are often other potential applications that simply never occur to people.

    These discoveries can often occur by accident. A person using a material in a new way to temporarily solve a problem could open the doors to a wealth of possible applications that were simply never considered before.

    After coming up with an innovative idea about the use of a known material, an inventor can apply for a patent to protect the new process invention.

    The actual chemical process used to manufacture materials can also be protected by patent laws. An innovator who devises a more effective or cost efficient way to manufacture a known material can file for a patent to protect his work.

    The invention of a chemical process could include things such as new base ingredients, altered methods of treating materials, even adjusting variables such as heat levels or reaction times.

    The process of inventing a chemical process takes a lot of work and specific knowledge, which is why it’s critical for an inventor to protect his efforts by applying for a patent.

    There are often no clear boundaries between the various categories. A chemical process invention concerning the manufacture of an existing material could lead to the creation of an altogether new one.

    New ways of using existing matter could lead to innovations in which materials are used in its manufacture.

    Regardless of category, the process of inventing new processes or materials can be time-consuming, labor intensive and extremely rewarding.

  • Show Me The Latest Invention

    If you do a web search on “the latest inventions”, you’ll see immediately that many people across the world are working on new inventions, to perform an endless number of tasks.

    Our innovative nature has led us to make astounding leaps and bounds in technological advances, and we’re constantly dreaming of new ways to do new things.

    So, if you were to sit at your computer and think, “Show me the latest invention,” you might get something like:

    A new way for people with disabilities to interact with their computers, simply by moving their heads

    A shoe protector that keeps hair from getting in the shoes of barbers and beauticians.

    A way to send a CV via SMS.

    It doesn’t take long to realize that there are inventions of every conceivable sort being developed every day. People develop new things for many different reasons. Perhaps one person is trying to think of ways to make their his own life easier.

    Meanwhile, another wants to invent something that helps her businesses run more efficiently. Someone might be trying to think of ways to help the world in general, or perhaps just come up with a solution that is only useful to them.

    Whatever their motivations, innovators all have one thing in common – they’re all dreaming up new ideas.

    Many people dream of inventing something, but have no idea where to start. Whether you have a specific idea of what you want to create, or just want a way to think of something new, exploring the work of others can help get those creative juices flowing. There are websites that list recent patent applications, or showcase innovative new designs.

    Just going over various inventions – or even reviewing products that have been around forever – can get the gears turning. If you’re looking for a new idea, visiting sites where people complain about problems with products or look for help with something can help you brainstorm ideas about issues that need to be solved or things that need to be improved. Keeping a notebook handy for jotting down thoughts and ideas helps you remember them later, when you have time to think about them in more detail.

    Once you’ve decided on an idea to develop, the real work begins – bringing the idea from a vision to reality. Depending on your choice, this can involve any number of steps, but this is often the most exciting (and most challenging) part of the invention process.

    It’s also a process full of trial and error, occasional frustration and sleepless nights. In the end, however, when you finally figure out the best approach and develop a new innovation, any headaches along the way are soon forgotten.

    Well, until the patent application process, at least!

    Inventing can sometimes feel like a lonely process, often involving long hours of research, troubleshooting or planning. Message boards dedicated to inventors can provide fellow innovators a way to connect with each other, share ideas, and guide one another through the process.

    Experienced inventors can help guide newcomers through the process, and even provide valuable advice about the patent process.

    Whether you’re looking for someone to show you their latest inventions or a shoulder to lean on while you finish the patent application, getting good support makes the process much easier.

    History shows, the latest invention is never the last invention. The enterprising and pioneering human spirit means that everyday people, like you and me, will always be looking for new ways to make a difference – whether a small change or a major influence.

     

  • Invention Timeline

    Invention Timeline

    invention timelineAn invention timeline can be described as the path that takes a new process or product from conception to realization. An invention could be based on improving earlier ideas or could be something completely new and unthought of.

    We, as humans, would never be where we are today with so many objects and processes to make our lives easier had it not been for people inventing things.

    By understanding the timeline of an invention, we may realize a greater appreciation for the work and effort that goes into making the every day things we take for granted.

    Inventions such as the wheel, the telephone and the airplane have revolutionized the way we travel and communicate. There are two schools of thought when it comes to the process of invention.

    One school of thought believes that an excess of resources actually leads to new inventions, while the other school of thought believes that the popular phrase ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ holds true.

    Across the expanse of the human timeline, inventions have changed the course of human events – for better or for worse.

    Ideas may also not always lead to an invention due to impracticalities. Sometimes an idea may prove to be useless at a certain time but may actually be useful at a later date.

    The invention of the parachute, for example, occurred long before the invention of flight. Some ideas may also take a long time to develop due to the progress of technology that is necessary to realize the invention.

    Once a person has invented a product, there is a process that he or she must go through in order to commercialize it. In order to protect the invention from being copied, the inventor must patent it.

    The timeline of the modern-day invention process begins with the patent application. The first step of the patent process is getting a date attached to the idea or innovation as soon as possible after the idea is conceived. The inventor should write down the concept of their invention and take it to a Notary Public.

    The Notary Public will require that you sign and date the document and he/she will witness it. This is done so that there is no conflict if someone later claims the same idea.

    Before a patent can be applied for, a patent search will have to be done to ensure that no other patents exist on the idea or product you wish to patent.

    In the United States, an experienced and professional patent searcher will have to carry out this search at the US Patent and Trademark Office. In addition, a patent examiner is often consulted on the specific areas to be search for the invention.

    Most people apply for provisional patents. This is most cost effective as it gives the inventor a one-year period in which to test the marketability of the product or idea and to see if there is any manufacturer interest in it.

    Because new products are always improved and refined, the provisional patent also allows for additions to an invention to be added to the patent without having to file additional applications.

    If a manufacturer is interested in a product or idea that is provisionally patented, he/she will generally cover the cost of the full patent in order to protect his/her investment.

    It is a long process from the conceptualization of an idea to having an end product manufactured.Very few inventors get the funding needed to refine and develop their ideas. Inventor clubs and associations do, however, exist and can sometimes offer economic resources and services such as mentoring and economic skill development to assist an inventor is realizing his/her dream.

     

  • Invention Ideas For Kids

    Children need to been inspired to become something great and wonderful in their lifetime. This is possible with any child from any background. One way to aspire for success is to become an inventor but how to go about it can be very tricky.

    As adults and parents, coming up with invention ideas for kids may stimulate their thinking skills and in turn bright ideas are born.

    Invention ideas for kids can come at anytime of life and absolutely anywhere. Thinking of ideas for inventions can come whilst driving in a car; they can come about from an activity at school or even from feeding the dog.

    As parents, you may feel that it is important to want your children to succeed, however, it must be remembered that it should be at the pace they choose and that they should never be forced into doing anything that they do not enjoy.

    When a person is happy and you really want to do something exciting you have a better chance of succeeding at that activity than would be if you were forced to do it.

    Children have vivid imaginations and come up with new ideas every day, the problem is that as adults we tend to see the idea and its craziness and look past the possibilities. Encouraging your children to come up with inventions means encouraging them to embark on a process of critical thinking.

    Independence will raise children’s self-esteem and confidence levels. Invention ideas for kids start with brainstorming, this can be fun and getting the whole family involved provides for some quality time too.

    Invention ideas for kids does not have to be an apparatus, it can be a new method of figuring things out. Children could ask questions such as the following, ‘what do I have that can maybe be improved?’, ‘how can I eat ice-cream without it melting so quickly?’, etc….. No idea is a stupid idea an each one is possible within a realistic border, that is, the components for making the apparatus exist or the actual item to be reinvented is real.

    An invention is successful not only when other persons know about it but when it has made a difference to the original problem. To invent one should look at the problems with the things you use today and find ways of improving them. Children are magnificent creators of tomorrow, new invention ideas will allow your children to start to think critically on a daily basis, to want to create something nobody else has ever thought of.

    Did you know there’s a whole site dedicated this topic? Go to kids invention ideas for more information.

  • Invention Of The Radio

    The invention of the radio was one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century

    However, the radio invention was, and still is, surrounded in controversy.

    At least three inventors lay claim to the invention of the radio. They are Nikola Tesla, Guglielmo Marconi and Alexander Popov. Many people credit the Italian Marconi with the radio invention, but academics and writers (and the US Supreme Court in 1943) are beginning to give the credit to Tesla, a Serbian scientist and inventor (who immigrated to America).

    In the early 1890s, Tesla invented a device known as a Tesla coil, which trasmitted high frequency and high voltage current through the air.

    Tesla realised that the same concept could apply to radio signal resonations and began experimenting with a radio apparatus. If he had marketed his inventions more effectively (and in some ways more secretively), he would have gained more credit. Problem was that Tesla was a terrible businessman, and allowed others to gain credit for his inventions (including Thomas Edison and Marconi).

    In 1895, Marconi, probably having read Tesla’s articles and learned about his technology, modified Tesla’s findings somewhat to produce a crude radio trasmitter and receiver. That year he sent and received a radio signal in Italy. For publicity purposes, he also sent a trasmission across the English Channel.

    Further advances were made to the invention of the radio. In 1906 the American Reginald Fessenden transmitted both music and speech through the airwaves.

    However, it wasn’t until the sinking of the Titanic that radio transmission really took off. Ships at sea realized the need for communication with land. It was the 1920s when improvements to the invention of the radio finally lead to the introduction of radio stations. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the first genuine radio station was set up. Within years, hundreds of others sprang up around the US and Europe.

    Also be sure to check out Marconi’s invention for another take on the invention of the radio.

  • Chinese Inventions

    Chinese inventions span thousands of years, and the Chinese have introduced many important inventions and innovations in the world.

    To fully appreciate the significance of Chinese inventions, it is helpful to consider how ancient some of them are, and how they laid the basis for future innovations and improvements in science.

    Ancient Chinese Inventions

    There is something knows as the four great innovations of Ancient China:

    Papermaking

    Papermaking in Ancient China was invented around 100 CE, where the first sheet of paper was constructed with a combination of fibres, mulberries, and hemp. That paved the way for the future of papermaking.

    Gunpowder

    In roughly the 9th century CE, the Chinese began using mixtures of substances like petrochemicals for warefare. This is the earliest known use of gunpowder, even though they were using some of the substances to make gunpowder for medicinal and other purposes.

    The Compass

    The compass is one of the oldest Chinese inventions, having been invented roughly around 250 BCE. Interestingly enough, it was not invented for navigational purposes, but in order to harmonize the built enivronment for Fung Shei purposes. The earliest compasses were made with a mineral known as lodestone, which has magnetic properties.

    Printing

    Of course, the invention of papermaking aided that of printing. The Chinese started off with woodblock printing, where letters are carved out of wood, and then ink is applied and printed onto paper. Later, the Chinese also invented movable type printing, which is more suited to Western alphabets, and can be used to easily change letters and words around.

    Fun Chinese Inventions

    There are many other ‘smaller’ inventions, but incredibly useful to mankind, that the Chinese have invented or discovered. Here are some of the more interesting ones:

    The Noodle

    What would some people do without eating noodles?

    Rowing Oars

    Which have helped navigation over the oceans, and still today play an important role in water-based sports and events

    Salt

    The Chinese didn’t ‘invent’ salt, but they discovered ways of harnessing and using it for commercial purposes, which laid the basis as salt as a currency in other parts of the world

    The Banknote

    Still used today, the banknotes dates back to Ancient Chinese printmaking, and banknotes were used by merchants and tradesmen as trading receipts hundreds of years ago

    Chopsticks

    But that one’s obvious

    Domonies

    Still played today by tens of thousands of people around the world, first invented in China.

    Fireworks

    Spectacles in the sky, developed by the Chinese around 900 CE.

    Kites

    Traditionally used by inhabitants of a besieged Chinese town as a rescue signal

    Toothbrush

    Developed out of a need for cleanliness, the toothbrush has certainly taken the world by storm!

    There are many more Chinese inventions, but these should give you a taste and insight into the enormous contribution the Chinese have made to the world and world culture.

     

     

  • Who Invented The Toilet

    Some people often mistakenly think that it was certain Thomas Crapper who invented the toilet about 300 years ago. That is an urban myth.

    There was a Thomas Crapper, a plumber who apparently had several patents, but he did not ‘invent’ what we know today as the toilet.

    In fact the toilet was invented over two thousand years ago, and remnants of ancient toilets have been found in India, China and even Egypt. These toilets did use water, and were built on clay bricks linked to a drainage system, but did not have the famous ‘flush’ mechanism that we know and use today.

    Interestingly enough, what we know as toilet paper, was a Chinese invention and came quite a while before the toilet!

    When people want to find out who invented the toilet, they are normally thinking about the modern ‘flush’ toilet. The flush toilet was a dramatic step forward in modern sanitation (sanitation is only a fairly modern concept) and was invented in 1596 by a certain John Harrington. But that was only a step towards the modern toilet that we know today.

    Several other inventors and designers paved the way for the system that we use today. I won’t bore you with names and dates, but to know who invented the toilet means appreciating that several people stood on each other’s shoulders (thankfully not literally) to take us where we are today in terms of efficiency, hygiene, sanitation, and civil engineering.

    These days we find all different types of toilet inventions, from those that produce nice smells after flushing, to those that produce white noise or light music so that people don’t need to worry about that kind of thing!

    In the last century there has been an absolute explosion of patents and inventions that have improved our bathroom activities, and in the new century we can look forward to many more.

  • Invention Of The Barcode

    The bar code is a really a brilliant invention. It has simplified the entire shopping experience, making it quick and easy to add shopping items to a bill. But it didn’t fall out of the sky, someone had to invent it first.

    The invention of the bar code came out of a very real and pressing need to speed up the shopping check out process. As is often the case with innovations, the invention of the bar code happened serendipitously.

    It started in 1948, Bernard Silver was a graduate student at the Drexel Institute of Technology was listening to the president of Food Fair, a Pennsylvanian food chain, talk to the dean of the Institute about the need for a system to quickly add up product information at the check out counter. He quickly saw the opportunity to develop the technology, spoke to a friend of his, Norman Joseph Woodland, about the idea, and they soon started working on a system.

    Silver and Woodland’s original plan for the bar code invention was to use ultraviolet ink, but this proved too costly. So like all successful inventors, they continued to work at the idea. Woodland then moved to Florida, and decided to try out something that involved morse codes, by simply extending the lines of the morse code downward to create lines. The invention of the bar code started taking shape.

    But it was one thing to generate what would later be known as the bar code, and another thing to read them. Woodland started working on technology to read bar codes, modifying technology from optical soundtracks. Eventually the two friends had developed enough proprietary technology to file a patent application, which they entitled “Classifying Apparatus and Method”.

    It was many more years, and several developments later, until a useable technology was implemented in stores in the US. A trial system was implemented in 1972 in a store chain in Cincinnati. But it took another two years for the bar code technology to get more widespread exposure, and the cumbersome process and minimal cost savings had some predicting the death of the bar code technology.

    Yet here we are in the 21st century, and the invention of the bar code has stood the test of time. Even though the original inventors probably didn’t make much money out of their invention, they certainly helped contribute towards a minor revolution in the entire shopping process.

     

  • Who Invented Velcro

    Some things are so commonplace, so part of our everyday lives, that we don’t think twice about them. Velcro is such a thing. We use it every day on our clothes, shoes, surfboards and around the house in carpets, notebooks, suitcases and other products. Velcro has become quite normal and everyday.

    And it is even used by NASA on space shuttles, and also by the US army who use it on military and combat uniforms. Velcro’s even been used to create a whole new sport, known as velcro jumping, where you where a special suit, and run and jump as high as possible onto a Velcro wall. What an amazing invention velcro is!

    But the big question you’re wondering is who invented velcro? Well before we answer that, consider that Velcro is made up of two parts: a hook part and a loop part. The hook part gets attached to the loop part through the ‘hook’ fabrics getting intertwined with the ‘loop’ fabrics. So the person who invented velcro actually invented this system of hooks and loops using different kinds of fabrics and materials.

    The inventor of velcro was a Swiss Engineer named George de Mestra who was born in 1907 and died just over 20 years ago in 1990. George de Mestra was a remarkable person, who was an inventor from a very young age. At the age of 12 he even patented his design for a toy airplane. After school, he attended a polytechnic university in Lausanne, Switzerland and qualified as an engineer.

    Interestingly, the Swiss engineer who invented velcro actually started dreaming and conceiving about it many years before he started working on it. In 1941, he went hunting in the Alps with his dog, and noticed how Burdock seeds were sticking to his clothes and dog’s coat. This made him fascinated with the concept of a material attaching itself to another, and he looked at it through a microscope and ‘discovered’ this concept of ‘hooks’ which attach themselves to the ‘loops’ of other materials. This gave him the notion of trying to replicate nature’s genius for other purposes.

    In 1948 he started working seriously at the Velcro invention, and in 1955 he patented it, and turned it into a multimillion dollar company, which made him an absolute fortune!

    So the man who invented velcro story has a happy ending and a few morals:

    1. Observe and learn from nature

    2. Be incredibly persistent

    3. Patent your ideas and inventions so that you can profit from them

  • Who Invented The Microscope

    The question of who invented the microscope is a matter of historical debate. There isn’t 100% certainty on the microscope invention, because it was not that well documented during its time, but we know for certainty that it occured around the turn of the 17th century.

    Furhermore, we are certain that that the first type of microscope invented was the most common one: the optical microscope (which contains a lens that greatly magnifies objects).

    A few names regularly crop up of potential inventors who invented the microscope. There is a Dutch spectacle maker named Hans Janssen who, together with his son, was said to have originated the concept of the microscope back in 1590. Another name is Hans Lippershey who is credited with inventing the telescope (which is designed to make objects in the far distance much easier to see), and some people suggest he had a role to play in microscopics as well. But the link is not that strong.

    Perhaps the most famous person who invented the microscope, or should we say holds the claim to the invention, is none other than the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei. Galileo is said to be a major force behind the scientific revolution, and is sometimes referred to as the father of observational science and astronomy. In 1609 Galileo invented what he termed the ‘little eye’, which was an apparatus that made use of convex and concave lenses to view objects unseeable by the human eye. A friend of Galileo’s, a German named Giovanni Faber, termed this the ‘compound microscope’ and the name ‘microscope’ has stuck since then.

    But it did not simply end then, as it took a while for the microscope to become part of scientific enquiry, research and culture. There were many more people who invented improvements to the microscope, amongst them Cornelius Drebbel, who used double lenses that were concave, Anton van Leeuwenhoek attunes the apparatus for use on biological organisms, and Ernst Abbe in the mid 1860s drastically improved the design of the microscope. Even today there are still improvements and modifications of the observational apparatus.

  • Trademark Attorney

    A trademark attorney is a qualified legal practitioner that specializes in dealing with all aspects of trademarking, from performing a trademark search to applying for a new trademark, to modifying or deregistering a trademark.

    Trademarks are unique, usually commercial names, slogans, words or signs that distinctively identify a commercial product or service. If you wish to be able to market a product or service with the legal protection that a third-party will not copy, use or even misuse your name (without legal consequences), then it is vital that you find a trademark attorney.

    In many Commonwealth countries, the trademark attorney profession is highly specialized and regulated by a trademark body. For instance, in countries like Australia and England, trademark attorneys are regarded as part of a distinct legal profession in their own right, and they need to have a distinct qualification, over and above a general law degree, in order to practice. In the United States, while there are an increasing amount of trade mark attorney firms, the profession is more open to general law practitioners, and any qualified lawyer is able to work for individuals and corporations in dealing with the United States Patent and Trademark office. However it is not recommended to use a general legal practitioner for trade mark cases, and one should always seek the advice of an experienced and well-versed trademark attorney.

    It is advisable finding a trademark attorney in your area, as the trademarking process is lengthy and time-consuming, and you will want to be in regular contact with your practitioner.

    How to find or verify a trademark attorney in your area or district

    In The United States

    Type ‘trademark attorney’ as well as your city, town or state into the following search box, and you will be provided with a selection of local trade mark lawyers in your area:

    In the United Kingdom

    It is best to verify a trademark attorney through the Institute of Trademark Attorneys, where you can do a search for a qualified practitioner in your county.

    In Australia

    You can contact or do a search at The Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia.

    Internationally

    You can contact the International Trademark Association.

    Good luck (and a bit of hard work and effort too!).

  • Innovative Definition

    What is the definition of innovative? What does innovative mean, and how do you define it? Good question.

    There are several definitions or ways to understanding the word innovative and I will go through them below:

    The word ‘innovative’ is an adjective, which means that it describes something else (which is known as a noun). The adjective innovative can describe either a product, idea, service, gadget, widget or ‘thing’, it can describe a brand, company, research lab or university, or it can describe a person or group of people.

    But what is the definition of innovative?

    Innovative definition: Innovative: a quality that describes that something (a person, a service, an idea, etc) is original, unique, cutting-edge, advanced, creative, novel or inventive. It can describe how a service does something differently from other services in the market, how a product does something creatively or solves a problem or need in an original and novel way, or how a person has a new and fresh way of thinking that distinguishes him or her from other people in his or her industry, workplace or school

    Etymology of the word innovative:

    The word ‘innovative’ originates from the word ‘innovate’. Innovate derives from the Latin word innovatus, which is past participle of innovare. ‘Innovare’ means ‘to renew’ or ‘to change’. This explains how the words innovative came to mean what it does today. ‘To renew’ is another way of saying to make something new again. In other words to make it fresh or to breathe new life into something that had gone stale. It implies that there is a traditional and stale way of doing things, and what makes something innovative is how it makes doing that thing or process new again.

    A very simple example is the idea of an electric toothbrush. The toothbrush in various forms has been around since the 13th century in China. For over 700 years it has been used in a similar way. Then suddenly in 1954 a Swiss inventor decided to innovate on the toothbrush invention, and invented the first electric toothbrush. We can safely say that the electric toothbrush is an innovative way of using the toothbrush, because it makes the brushing of the teeth more rapid and effective. The idea to electrify it was incredibly innovative, and ‘renewed’ the way that we use the toothbrush.

    I hope that the innovative definition is more clear to you now. And I hope that you are now inspired to be innovative in whatever you do, and to innnovate or ‘renew’ things that have become stale!

  • Who Invented Peanut Butter

    Since the invention of peanut butter is actually completely natural, no-one can take credit or receive as the individual who invented peanut butter.

    However the invention of peanut butter has quite an interesting history, and some myths along the way too.

    One thing we can say for certain is that the people who invented peanut butter lived in the American tropics, simply because that’s where peanuts are natively found.

    Several hundred years ago, the native American Aztecs mixed and mashed peanuts and turned it into a paste. How or why they did this is unknown, but it was certainly a stroke of genius on their part!

    The modern equivalent of peanut butter is better known. The man who invented modern peanut butter was Marcellus Gilmore Edson who hailed from Canada. He filed a US patent application that was issued in 1884 (patent number #306727), which he entitled “Manufacture of Peanut-Candy”. You can view his detailed process and description for making peanut butter here. Simply put, Edson’s peanut butter invention was to mill roasted peanuts amidst a hot or heated surface in order to transform the peanuts into ‘fluid’ form. The result was not quite what we have today, but certainly laid the foundation for the peanut butter paste that we spread on our bread or biscuits. What is fascinating is how Edson described his process in such detail, which was available for all the public to see (and thus copy). Sometimes it is best to keep your recipes private!

    Next a well-known innovator enters the picture. His name is none other than JH Kellogg (recognize the name?). Kellogg also filed a patent application shortly after Edson, and received it in 1897 for a peanut butter invention, which used peanuts to produce a substance he entitled ‘nut butter’. It is starting to come together.

    Then, just 6 years later, in 1093 a man named Dr. Ambrose Straub filed a patent for a machine that made peanut butter. So we can credit Straub as the man who invented the peanut butter making machine.

    As a sidenote, there is a myth that does the rounds in the US that a man named George Washington Carver was the inventor of peanut butter. Well it turns out this myth is false. Carver invented ways and means to use peanuts, well over 300 in fact, but none of these related to peanut butter (amazingly). That’s because peanut butter was invented prior to his uses for peanuts!

     

  • When was the first car invented

    If you want to know when was the first car invented, I’ll have to take you back to the 17th century in China. A Belgian missionary named Ferdinand Verbiest invented what is regarded as the first car.

    He designed the car specially for the use of the Emperor of China.

    Verbiest was living in China as a missionary, but he was evidently quite a brilliant inventor as well.

    The first car measured roughly 65 cm long, and because it was so small, it could only carry one person, who was as a result both the passenger and the driver!

    The first car was invented to make use of steam technology, where the jet of steam hit a mechanism that used the steam’s force to turn the front wheels of the car. So the first car was also the first environmentally friendly vehicle as well.

    Verbiest tested his invention in the Imperial Palace in Beijing. So we can say that the first car test drive was another achievement of Verbiest. He was able to maneuver the vehicle using a a stick from the wheels to the driver’s seat, that allowed him to turn the wheels of the car towards the left or right.

    The test drive was a big success, and onlookers cheered and praised the inventor. Even the Emperor was very impressed, and awarded the inventor with honors.

    Unfortunately, the first car to be invented was never considered more than a toy, and the people of the age could not envision the possibility of using it for mass transport. So Verbiest’s invention never made it beyond that first prototype.

     

  • Isaac Newton Inventions

    Sir Isaac Newton is recognized as one of the greatest geniuses to have ever lived.

    Isaac Newton inventions have quite literally made a profound impact on science, mathematics, gravitation astronomy, optics and chemistry.

    Issac Newton’s inventions span a vast area of subjects and sciences. I will briefly speak about a few Isaac Newton Inventions that made the most impact on the world as we know it.

    Isaac Newton invented the reflecting telescope (also called the Newtonian telescope), which makes use of mirrors in order to reflect and enhance light onto a particular surface. Whenever you see images of planets, moons, or solar systems you can thank Isaac Newton for the work he did in making this happen. Based on the reflecting telescope, Newton invented a color system or theory that explained why light becomes split into a variety of colors when passing through a mirror or transparent object.

    Another Isaac Newton invention is what is known as the Calculus (another mathematician known at Gottfried Leibniz also worked on the calculus during this time). The calculus is a complex mathematical theoretical system that is today used in abstract mathematics, astronomy, geometry, financial mathematics and statistics. Also in mathematics, Newton invented what is popularly known as Newton’s method, which aids math boffins to approximate the roots of functions.

    Issac Newton didn’t ‘invent’ the law of gravity, but he certainly discovered it and was able to explain it mathematically. He also studied gravitation in relation to planets and the universe, and invented a way to explain what is known as the ‘law of universal gravitation’ and most famously the ‘laws of motion’. It’s unlikely an apple ever hit Newton’s head, but he used the anecdote of watching apples fall from trees as what sparked his interest in gravity.

  • Necessity is the mother of invention

    What does ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ mean?

    You often hear people use that saying that ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ but don’t necessarily know what it means.

    Well think about it for a minute. Let’s break up the phrase into different parts to make it more understandable.

    Necessity

    What does necessity mean? Well the simplest meaning of necessity is to think of the word ‘necessary’ (it sounds a lot like necessity doesn’t it? That’s because they both have the same root). When you say that A is necessary for B to happen, it means that B cannot happen without A happening. For example water is necessary for plants to survive.

    Necessity is not too different. It means that something is indispensable or important in a particular situation or circumstance. Like when someone says ‘Education is a necessity for a successful society’, they mean that without education the society would not be successful without education.

    Mother

    A mother gives birth to a child. That much is obvious. So using the word ‘mother’ in a metaphorical sense means giving birth to, creating, or making something where it did not exist before.

    So now you know what ‘necessity’ and ‘mother’ means in the context we have been talking about. So how do we apply it to ‘necessity is the mother of invention’?

    Pretty easily. You might even be able to work it out by yourself by now.

    It’s obvious that something is invented as a result of a need that hasn’t yet been fulfilled. For example mobile telephones were invented to meet the need of people communicating while they are out and about. In other words there was a necessity for people to communicate when they were not at home. It was necessary for people to have a mobile phone so that they could communicate wherever they were.

    Necessity is the mother of invention

    Which brings us to the final piece in the puzzle. ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ means that the necessity for something to occur makes it very likely that something will be invented to meet that need. In other words the necessity for something gives birth to an invention. Necessity is the mother of invention!