The Invention Corner

~Darn flyswatter just won’t hit that fly!  What would you do to the
flyswatter to make it to where it would hit the fly?  If you can come
up with an answer to that question, you qualify as an inventor.  You
don’t have to know how to build the new and improved flyswatter.  You
just need to be able to explain what you think it needs.

~This shirt feels very uncomfortable.  If you can figure out what needs to
be done to alter the shirt, you have graduated into the inventor
class.   You have found a problem and figured out a way to solve it.
There are many inventions put out to the public that are in need of
fixing.

~That sprinkler just won’t do the job I want.  You have a pretty good idea
as to what a sprinkler needs to do to fill your need.  You can design
the item and give it to someone to build it.  You have just taken the
next step in the invention ladder.

~That guy came up with a good idea.  The way he showed it to you, you
didn’t think it will work.  So you built a model of what you were
given and you also built one the way you think it should be.  You
presented the two models to the guy that gave it to you.  He agrees
the model you built would work, his wouldn’t.  You are an inventor.

~There has to be a better way to shield your eyes from the sun while
driving.  A visor and sunglasses are not enough for some people.  You
set out to find a solution.  You can visualize in your mind the sun
in your eyes.  You run all kinds of possible remedies through your
brain.  You finally come up with something you think will work.  You
build it and test it.  It works.  You have built an invention.

It doesn’t matter whether you just came up with the idea, or completely
built it.  You have the creative mind of an inventor.  What if you
went to the store and found a similar product to your invention on
the shelf.  Does it make you less of an inventor?  To my mind, you
found a need, and made a solution.  The only difference is that you
can’t make more and sell them if it is patented. 

INVENTION IDEA:  I was given this idea by a salesman in Florida.  He suggested
an edging for flower beds with sprinkling holes in it.  You would
hook up a hose to the edging, and the bed would get watered.  If it’s
something you think worth investigating.  Go for it!