Mechanisms That Influence Invention and Innovation

By: Brian Nettleton

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0402616. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National

Science Foundation (NSF).

People have invented for thousands of years. It all started when man first used a rock or stick as a tool or weapon. The quality of human life has been improving ever since. It is human nature to try and improve life. There is always a problem that needs to be solved and there is always a better way of doing something. People invent things for different reasons and under a variety of circumstances. The following are seven mechanisms that influence the pace and direction of invention and innovation.

Weather and Other Natural Forces

http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/lightningrod.htm

Benjamin Franklin thought of the idea of using a lightning rod while experimenting with electricity. Before the invention of the lightning rod many houses and barns were destroyed by fire as a result of lightning strikes.

The Lightning Rod

Result of Religion

http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/compass2.html

The Chinese invented the compass for religious reasons. The Chinese used the compass to position their houses so they can live in harmony with the earth.

The Compass

When totally Unrelated Developments Have a Profound

effect on the main Event

http://searchwarp.com/swa28106.htm

Memory foam was developed by NASA to help protect astronauts by absorbing G-forces during space missions. The new material didn’t do what NASA had hoped, so it was not used. Memory foam is now widely used for mattresses and pillows.

Deliberate SearchThe Cotton Gin

http://www.eliwhitney.org/inventor.htm

While working on a southern plantation, Eli Whitney was challenged to build a machine that would separate seeds from cotton. After a couple of attempts, he succeeded in building the Cotton Gin.

A Deliberate Search for one Thing That Leads to Another

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bladams.htm

In 1869 Thomas Adams was trying unsuccessfully to make rubber out of Chicle from Sapodila trees. He put a piece of it in his mouth and began chewing it. While he was chewing it he came up with an idea of adding flavors to it. In 1871 he began selling his chewing gum in New York drug stores for a penny a piece.

Chewing Gum

Military Needs

http://www.beyonddiscovery.org/content/view.page.asp?I=468

GPS

The Global Positioning System was invented for the Department of Defense to help ships, planes, and weapons navigate. GPS units are now available to consumers and are used for hiking, boating, and driving.

Accidental Discoveries

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_powder

It is believed that gunpowder was accidentally discovered by an ancient Chinese alchemist who was searching for the elixir of life. The alchemist mixed saltpetre, sulfur, and charcoal over an open flame and the mixture exploded on him. It is ironic that he was searching for a potion to preserve life and wound up inventing something that has taken so many lives.

Gunpowder

Standards and BenchmarksStandard 1: Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and scope of technology.o [1.F] New products and systems can be developed to solve problems or to help do things that could not be done without the help of technology.o [1.G] The development of technology is a human activity and is the result of individual or collective needs and the ability to be creative.o [1.H] Technology is closely linked to creativity, which has resulted in innovation.

•Standard 7:Students will develop an understanding of the influence of technology on history.o [7.C] Many inventions and innovations have evolved by using slow and methodical processes of tests and refinements.o [7.F] In the past, an invention or innovation was not usually developed with the knowledge of science.