Mechanisms That Influence
Invention and Innovation
By: Brian Nettleton
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under
Grant No. 0402616.
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material
are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National
Science Foundation (NSF).
People have invented for thousands of years.
It all started when man first used a rock or
stick as a tool or weapon. The quality of
human life has been improving ever since. It
is human nature to try and improve life. There
is always a problem that needs to be solved
and there is always a better way of doing
something. People invent things for different
reasons and under a variety of
circumstances. The following are seven
mechanisms that influence the pace and
direction of invention and innovation.
Weather and Other Natural Forces
The Lightning Rod
Benjamin Franklin
thought of the idea of
using a lightning rod
while experimenting with
electricity. Before the
invention of the lightning
rod many houses and
barns were destroyed by
fire as a result of
lightning strikes.
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/lightningrod.htm
Result of Religion
The Compass
The Chinese invented the
compass for religious
reasons. The Chinese used
the compass to position
their houses so they can live
in harmony with the earth.
http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/compass2.html
When totally Unrelated
Developments Have a Profound
effect on the main Event
Memory foam was developed
by NASA to help protect
astronauts by absorbing Gforces during space missions.
The new material didn’t do
what NASA had hoped, so it
was not used. Memory foam is
now widely used for mattresses
and pillows.
http://searchwarp.com/swa28106.htm
Deliberate Search
The Cotton Gin
While working on a
southern plantation, Eli
Whitney was challenged to
build a machine that would
separate seeds from
cotton. After a couple of
attempts, he succeeded in
building the Cotton Gin.
http://www.eliwhitney.org/inventor.htm
A Deliberate Search for one Thing
That Leads to Another
Chewing Gum
In 1869 Thomas Adams was trying
unsuccessfully to make rubber out
of Chicle from Sapodila trees. He
put a piece of it in his mouth and
began chewing it. While he was
chewing it he came up with an idea
of adding flavors to it. In 1871 he
began selling his chewing gum in
New York drug stores for a penny a
piece.
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bladams.htm
Military Needs
GPS
The Global Positioning System
was invented for the
Department of Defense to help
ships, planes, and weapons
navigate. GPS units are now
available to consumers and are
used for hiking, boating, and
driving.
http://www.beyonddiscovery.org/content/view.page.asp?I=468
Accidental Discoveries
Gunpowder
It is believed that gunpowder was
accidentally discovered by an ancient
Chinese alchemist who was searching
for the elixir of life. The alchemist
mixed saltpetre, sulfur, and charcoal
over an open flame and the mixture
exploded on him. It is ironic that he
was searching for a potion to preserve
life and wound up inventing something
that has taken so many lives.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_powder
Standards and Benchmarks
Standard 1: Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and scope of technology.
o [1.F] New products and systems can be developed to solve problems or to help do things that could not be done without
the help of technology.
o [1.G] The development of technology is a human activity and is the result of individual or collective needs and the ability to
be creative.
o [1.H] Technology is closely linked to creativity, which has resulted in innovation.
•Standard 7:Students will develop an understanding of the influence of technology on history.
o [7.C] Many inventions and innovations have evolved by using slow and methodical processes of tests and refinements.
o [7.F] In the past, an invention or innovation was not usually developed with the knowledge of science.