The Great American Patent Caper

Thomas Edison's Original Working Model
Dennis Forbes, USPTO Photographer

A Guide To Inventing

For an invention to be patented, it must be new and useful. It can be a device or a procedure for doing something. New inventions can come from discovery or by chance. However, most inventions that have been invented took a period of time that included studying the problem and experimenting with different solutions.

So you want to invent something. Think about things that annoy or bother you or think of things that you interact with every day that might cause problems. This is the first step in inventing - trying to come up with a solution to annoyances and problems.

Look at the object carefully and think how you can improve it. Ask yourself some questions. For example, how would you change it to make it something better? Who will your invention be for? How will your invention make something easier to use? Now you have an idea for an invention.

Another way to think of an idea is by brainstorming or coming up with several ideas that might solve a problem. Many people use the SCAMPER process. This includes several steps:

- Substitute - Can other materials be used that will make the item easier, safer or cheaper?

- Combine - Can you put together several things to make a better thing?

- Adapt - Is there something about another item that would be useful to include in the new item?

- Modify - Can the size be changed? Can your item consist of fewer parts?

- Put to Other Uses - Is there a new way to use the item?

- Eliminate - Can you remove something?

- Replace - Can you replace something with something else?

After coming up with your idea, you need to develop it. What will you need to make it? What will it eventually look like? How will it be used? What are you going to call it? How will it work?

Next, you want to make a working model. This allows you to see what it will really look like. A working model is called a prototype. You should take pictures of it for your records. Write down each step so if you have to, you can repeat the steps. This is especially important if it doesn't work. You don't want to waste time repeating the same mistakes.

Remember that it is important not to be too hard on yourself. Don't let others discourage you. Listen to positive criticism and ignore the negative comments! No idea is dumb! If something doesn't work, try again. Keep trying until it does!

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