What is Invention: Definition and 67 Discussions

An invention is a unique or novel device, method, composition or process. The invention process is a process within an overall engineering and product development process. It may be an improvement upon a machine or product or a new process for creating an object or a result. An invention that achieves a completely unique function or result may be a radical breakthrough. Such works are novel and not obvious to others skilled in the same field. An inventor may be taking a big step toward success or failure.
An inventor is a person who creates or discovers an invention. The word inventor comes from the Latin verb invenire, invent-, to find. Although inventing is closely associated with science and engineering, inventors are not necessarily engineers nor scientists.Some inventions can be patented. The system of patents was established to encourage inventors by granting limited-term, limited monopoly on inventions determined to be sufficiently novel, non-obvious, and useful. A patent legally protects the intellectual property rights of the inventor and legally recognizes that a claimed invention is actually an invention. The rules and requirements for patenting an invention vary by country and the process of obtaining a patent is often expensive.
Another meaning of invention is cultural invention, which is an innovative set of useful social behaviours adopted by people and passed on to others. The Institute for Social Inventions collected many such ideas in magazines and books. Invention is also an important component of artistic and design creativity. Inventions often extend the boundaries of human knowledge, experience or capability.

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  1. M

    Is taxonomy intrinsic or a human invention

    is taxonomy an intrinsic property of life, or a human way to look at it? I think, especially with asexual species, that it is really a human invention, not an actual property of life. However, certain things fit well. what do you think?
  2. A

    What is the Solution for Improving Cue Delivery in Billiards?

    Billiards is a popular game with plenty of physics. Unfortunately, because it is only a game, no one has bothered to invent a relatively simple device (compared to all the other physics devices out there) that would substantially help one become better. So I have no choice but to take on the...
  3. C

    Invention: but dont know if it works.

    hola, first of. I am not mentally gifted enough to understand math involving letters so if you got a response to the following thread please make it in laymans terms. The invension?... more like an idea. would it be possible to make a double keel hull. (like a catamaran) that would be...
  4. P

    Magnetic fields used in the invention of the telephone

    help! here's what i have. this does some what explain how magnetic fields were used to invent the telephone? I am not sure what else to put. "In 1977 Bell patented a telephone that uses an electromagnetic transmitter. This invention works similarly to the variable-resistance transmitter...
  5. Pengwuino

    The greatest invention since the light bulb?

    I have a great invention! It's great for many reasons! 1. I thought of it 2. People are lazy and will use it 3. Guys exist 4. Women are annoying 5. I thought of it What's the most annoying thing that one has to do in their life? The most mind-numbing, boring, stupid thing one will ever...
  6. brewnog

    A rather moo-seful invention

    http://technology.guardian.co.uk/innovations/story/0,16539,1606900,00.html
  7. B

    Monsanto files patent for new invention: the pig

    I don't know if this goes in this forum or in the politics and world affairs, take a look: The patent applications were published in February 2005 at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva. A Greenpeace researcher who monitors patent applications, Christoph Then...
  8. H

    Difference Between Discovery and Invention

    Hi, Heres a little discussion topic that I find interesting. What is the difference between discovery and invention. My own view is that discovery is the coming across things that are already there and an invention is something which has been created by someone or something that utilises...
  9. K

    Mysterious Invention: What's the Goal?

    Whoa check this out http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4714135.stm This is freaky man. Wonder what their target market is? :bugeye:
  10. P

    Schools Work with a university to develope the invention first

    I'm in the process of trying to obtain a patent. I have 2 choices: 1) I could spend my money on a patent attourny and take a shot at a patent with just preliminary ideas and calculations,or 2) I could work with a university to develope the invention first. I'm leaning towards the...
  11. C

    Poll: Best invention ever and why?

    Poll: Best invention ever and why? I'm going to start over on my science project and hope to get some ideas. And please don't ask what it was before because it was really really bad.
  12. E

    Innovations: What Makes a Good Invention?

    What requirements does an innovation need to have in order to be recognized as a good invention?
  13. T

    TJ Lydon's Invention: Seeking Help in Understanding Laws of Science

    Hello, My name is TJ Lydon. I have an invention that I am working on. I would like to ask the members of this forum for help determining whether or not I'm breaking any laws of science. My invention involves using compressed air release in water as the power source to generate electricity. It...
  14. zoobyshoe

    Got An Invention? You Too Can Be Scammed

    I always thought those TV adds offering "help" to inventors were fishy: MSNBC - Got an invention? You, too, can be scammed Address:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4863987/
  15. L

    What Did Gustaf Dalén Invent to Win the Nobel Prize for Physics?

    Gustaf Daléns Invention He won the Nobel price for Physics for his invention. "for his invention of automatic regulators for use in conjunction with gas accumulators for illuminating lighthouses and buoys" How did his invention actually work? You could hardly call it a mayor...
  16. Tyger

    The self-exiting alternator, a tale of invention.

    I knew that if you drove a three phase induction motor attached to the line at above line frequency it would change from a motor to a generator. So one day it popped into my mind that if you put capacitors across the terminals of a three phase motor and drove it above the L-C resonant frequency...
  17. J

    The Future of Car Power: Exploring a Promising Invention

    I saw on TV a while ago a program that explored some of the possible ways in which cars could be powered in the future. One of these was particularly interesting. It involved using a special powerful light that is surrounded by solar panels. The light given off is used by the panels to produce...
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