Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Invention shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Invention offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Invention at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Invention? Wrong! If the Invention is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Invention then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Invention? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Invention and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Invention wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Invention then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Invention site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Invention, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Invention, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
An
invention is an object,
process, or technique which displays an element of
Novelty (patent). An invention may sometimes be based on earlier developments,
collaborations or
ideas, and the process of invention requires at least the awareness that an existing concept or method can be modified or transformed into an invention. However, some inventions also represent a radical breakthrough in science or technology which extends the boundaries of human knowledge. Legal protection can sometimes be granted to an invention by way of a
patent.
The process of invention
Over time,
humanity has invented objects and methods for accomplishing tasks which fulfill some purpose in a new or different manner, usually with the objective of realizing that purpose in a faster, more efficient, easier or cheaper way.
Ideas as a starting point
Although a new or useful object or method may be developed to fulfill a specific purpose, the original
idea may never be fully realised as a working invention, perhaps because the concept is in some way unrealistic or impractical.
A "castle in the air" or a "pie in the sky" (or "castles in Spain") may refer to a
creativity idea which does not reach fruition due to practical considerations. The history of invention is full of such castles, because inventions are not necessarily invented in the order that is most useful; for example, the design of the
parachute was worked out before the invention of powered
flight. Other inventions simply solve problems for which there is no economic incentive to provide a solution.
On the other hand, any barriers to implementation may simply be an issue of engineering or technology which can be overcome in time with scientific advances. History is also replete with examples of ideas which have taken some time to reach physical reality, as demonstrated by various ideas originally attributed to Leonardo da Vinci which are now expressed in everyday physical form.
Commercialization
Inventors may be inspired to invent through a desire to create something new or better, simple altruism, or for competitive or commercial reasons. An invention may also result from a combination of these motivating factors. Although many inventors may have in mind the commerce of their product, very few will secure the funding and support often needed to develop and launch a product in the marketplace, and fewer still will experience lasting commercial success or the economic reward they may have expected. However, inventor associations and clubs and
business incubators can be used to provide the mentoring, commercial skills and economic resources which private inventors may often lack. Entrepreneurship and an awareness of the demands of a changing marketplace are typical characteristics of successful inventors.
Most List of inventors developed countless prototypes, changing their designs innumerable times. Today much emphasis is placed on research and development, prototyping and finding solutions.
Inventions are one of the chief examples of "externality" (an economist's name for a beneficial side-effect that falls on those outside a transaction or activity). One of the central concepts of economics is that externalities should be internalized: unless some of the benefits of this positive externality can be captured by the parties, the parties will be under-rewarded for their inventions, and systematic under-rewarding will lead to under investment in activities that lead to inventions. One important economic effect of the patent system is to capture those externality for the inventor (or the party that hired the inventor), so that the economy as a whole will invest a more-closely-optimum amount of resources in the process of invention.
Innovation
Following the terminology of
political economist Joseph Schumpeter, an invention differs from an innovation. While an invention is merely theoretical (even though the legal protection of a patent may have been sought), an innovation is an invention that has been put into practice. However, these conflicts with the theory of social anthropologists and other social sciences researchers. In social sciences, an innovation is anything new to a culture. The innovation does not need to have been adopted. The theory for adoption (or non-adoption) of an innovation is called
diffusion of innovations. This theory, first put forth by Everett Rogers, considers the likelihood that an innovation will ever be adopted and the taxonomy of persons likely to adopt it or spur its adoption. Gabriel Tarde also dealt with the adoption of innovations in his
Laws of Imitation.
See also
Bibliography
- Isaac Asimov. Asimov's Chronology of Science and Discovery, Harper & Row, 1989. ISBN 0-06-015612-0
- Edward de Bono, "Eureka! An Illustrated History of Inventions from the Wheel to the Computer", Thames & Hudson, 1974.
- Gowlett, John. Ascent to Civilization, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1992. ISBN 0-07-544312-0
- Platt, Richard, "Eureka!: Great Inventions and How They Happened", 2003.
External links
- List of PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) Notable Inventions (on the WIPO web site)
An
invention is an object,
process, or technique which displays an element of
Novelty (patent). An invention may sometimes be based on earlier developments,
collaborations or ideas, and the process of invention requires at least the awareness that an existing concept or method can be modified or transformed into an invention. However, some inventions also represent a radical breakthrough in science or technology which extends the boundaries of human knowledge. Legal protection can sometimes be granted to an invention by way of a patent.
The process of invention
Over time,
humanity has invented objects and methods for accomplishing tasks which fulfill some purpose in a new or different manner, usually with the objective of realizing that purpose in a faster, more efficient, easier or cheaper way.
Ideas as a starting point
Although a new or useful object or method may be developed to fulfill a specific purpose, the original
idea may never be fully realised as a working invention, perhaps because the concept is in some way unrealistic or impractical.
A "castle in the air" or a "pie in the sky" (or "castles in Spain") may refer to a
creativity idea which does not reach fruition due to practical considerations. The history of invention is full of such castles, because inventions are not necessarily invented in the order that is most useful; for example, the design of the
parachute was worked out before the invention of powered flight. Other inventions simply solve problems for which there is no economic incentive to provide a solution.
On the other hand, any barriers to implementation may simply be an issue of
engineering or technology which can be overcome in time with scientific advances. History is also replete with examples of ideas which have taken some time to reach physical reality, as demonstrated by various ideas originally attributed to Leonardo da Vinci which are now expressed in everyday physical form.
Commercialization
Inventors may be inspired to invent through a desire to create something new or better, simple
altruism, or for competitive or commercial reasons. An invention may also result from a combination of these motivating factors. Although many inventors may have in mind the
commerce of their product, very few will secure the funding and support often needed to develop and launch a product in the marketplace, and fewer still will experience lasting commercial success or the economic reward they may have expected. However, inventor associations and clubs and business incubators can be used to provide the mentoring, commercial skills and economic resources which private inventors may often lack. Entrepreneurship and an awareness of the demands of a changing marketplace are typical characteristics of successful inventors.
Most List of inventors developed countless prototypes, changing their designs innumerable times. Today much emphasis is placed on research and development, prototyping and finding solutions.
Inventions are one of the chief examples of "
externality" (an economist's name for a beneficial side-effect that falls on those outside a transaction or activity). One of the central concepts of economics is that externalities should be internalized: unless some of the benefits of this positive externality can be captured by the parties, the parties will be under-rewarded for their inventions, and systematic under-rewarding will lead to under investment in activities that lead to inventions. One important economic effect of the patent system is to capture those externality for the inventor (or the party that hired the inventor), so that the economy as a whole will invest a more-closely-optimum amount of resources in the process of invention.
Innovation
Following the terminology of political economist
Joseph Schumpeter, an invention differs from an
innovation. While an invention is merely theoretical (even though the legal protection of a patent may have been sought), an innovation is an invention that has been put into practice. However, these conflicts with the theory of social anthropologists and other social sciences researchers. In social sciences, an innovation is anything new to a culture. The innovation does not need to have been adopted. The theory for adoption (or non-adoption) of an innovation is called diffusion of innovations. This theory, first put forth by Everett Rogers, considers the likelihood that an innovation will ever be adopted and the taxonomy of persons likely to adopt it or spur its adoption. Gabriel Tarde also dealt with the adoption of innovations in his
Laws of Imitation.
See also
Bibliography
- Isaac Asimov. Asimov's Chronology of Science and Discovery, Harper & Row, 1989. ISBN 0-06-015612-0
- Edward de Bono, "Eureka! An Illustrated History of Inventions from the Wheel to the Computer", Thames & Hudson, 1974.
- Gowlett, John. Ascent to Civilization, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1992. ISBN 0-07-544312-0
- Platt, Richard, "Eureka!: Great Inventions and How They Happened", 2003.
External links
- List of PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) Notable Inventions (on the WIPO web site)
Invention Studios - 01225 461700
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Invention - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An invention is a new form, composition of matter, device, or process. Some inventions are based on pre-existing forms, compositions, processes or ideas.
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1001 Inventions is a groundbreaking global educational initiative exploring the Muslim contributions to building the foundations of Modern Civilisation:.
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