On Invention

An invention is a new composition, device, or process. An invention may be derived from a pre-existing model or idea, or it could be independently conceived in which case it may be a radical breakthrough. (1)

Is necessity the mother of invention, or is it the other way around?

In some cases, invention seems to be driven by a demand for a better product, a more efficient method, or an improved formula because the current model is obviously lacking.  For example, John Deere (of green and yellow fame), is credited with inventing the first steel plow.  In Grand Detour, IL, as in all the midwestern states, the rich soil has one unfortunate trait – it is sticky.  The wooden and iron plows that farmers used would quickly become caked with soil and lose groundbreaking effectiveness.  The farmer was required to stop moving and laboriously scrape the plow clean every few rows.  This was an obvious problem, and one that could be improved by a simple change – a plow that was “non-stick.”  Deere saw his opportunity, and acted.  Soon he was meeting this need with his cast-steel plow, and  the sticky soil problem was greatly reduced.  The necessity of a better plow led to his invention, which led to more efficient farming in America (and to the great proliferation of green and yellow deer – preschoolers are still confused.).

On the other hand, some inventions seem to create necessity.  Take cell phones, for example.  The first mobile phones were improvements upon existing technology that allowed two-way calls to be made, or even limited movement around an established base.  Researchers pushed forward, enabling handheld devices to connect with the telephone network, and to maintain calls from a variety of locations by employing “cells” of coverage from local towers.  By the early ’90’s, the next major development, a digital instead of analog signal, transformed the cell phone from a science-fictionish niche product to a highly marketable tool.   Companies marketed, and people bought.  Fast-forward a decade and a half, and according to CTIA (a nonprofit observer of the wireless community), as of June 2010, 292.8 million cell phones are in use in America.  That’s 94% of our population.

Like plows, were cell phones invented to meet a crucial need?  Perhaps to some people, yes.  Military operations and decision-makers have always need the very best means of communication, and early cell phone technology definitely met their needs.  I think there’s another critical factor – the cool factor.  “Man, it would be so cool if…”  I think the researchers were acting out of natural curiosity and a desire to create, to improve, to advance.  And their invention has become a necessity.

I don’t want to imply that one should come first.  If invention is prompted by necessity, society is served.  If invention is prompted by curiosity, society is served.  In short, invention is great!  I would even say that invention is part of being human.  As Genesis 1 says “God created man in His image.”  As God created us, so we create.

This blog will explore invention and the history of invention – the people, the ideas, and the products.  Why?  Because human history is the history of invention.