Foundations of Technology
Technological Inventions and
Innovations
Teacher Resource – Unit 1 Lesson 2
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
The BIG Idea
Big Idea:
Inventions and innovations are the result of an
evolutionary process through a series of
improvements and refinements.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Technological
Development
Most technological development has been
evolutionary, the result of a series of
refinements to a basic invention.
Invention – developing a new/useful process,
tool, machine, etc., that did not exist
previously.
Innovation – introducing new ideas/methods
to an established process, tool, machine, etc.
to produce marketable products.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Documenting
Invention and Innovation
A patent is a property right granted by the
government that allows the inventor to
prohibit others from making, using, or
selling their idea.
Patents are granted for a new, non-obvious
and useful process, machine, article of
manufacture, as well as a composition of
matter or improvements to any of the above.
All inventions must be novel, non-obvious,
and adequately described.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Documenting
Invention and Innovation
In the United States, the America Invents
Act of 2011, changed the way in which
patent rights are assigned.
For patents filed before March 16, 2013 a
first-to-invent rule was applied, meaning
patents rights were granted to the first
person who documents the idea and works
diligently to create a working model.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Documenting
Invention and Innovation
In the United States, the America Invents
Act of 2011, changed the way in which
patent rights are assigned.
For patents filed after March 16, 2013 a
first-inventor-to-file rule is used. This
means that patent rights are granted to the
first person who files for a patent on an
idea, rather than the person who documents
the idea first.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Documenting
Invention and Innovation
Documenting the idea is as important as filing a
patent.
A provisional patent, which establishes the file date of
the patent can be made with minimal documentation.
The non-provisional patent, which starts the
examination process requires extensive
documentation.
Documentation should include dated sketches and
explanations of how the invention operates and all
pertinent information; e.g., an engineering journal.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Case Study:
Invention and Innovation
The Invention of the Automobile:
In 1672, Ferdinand Verbiest developed a scale
model of a steam-powered car.
In 1769, Nicolas Cugnot built a steam-powered
tricycle and was widely credited with building
the first full-scale self-propelled vehicle.
In 1807, Nicephore Niepce created the
world’s first internal-combustion engine,
which was placed on a boat.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Case Study:
Invention and Innovation
The Invention of the Automobile:
In 1879, Karl Benz used an internal-combustion
engine to power a vehicle and was awarded a
patent for the concept. He is widely credited with
inventing the first modern automobile.
Between 1888 and 1893
Benz manufactured
about 25 vehicles.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Case Study:
Invention and Innovation
The Innovation of the Automobile:
In 1821, Thomas Blanchard piloted an assembly
line style of manufacturing that employed
interchangeable parts.
In 1902, Ransom Olds debuted a large-scale
production line to manufacture affordable
automobiles based on Blanchard’s work.
In 1914, Henry Ford greatly enhanced
the concept of the assembly line to
what we know today.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Case Study:
Invention and Innovation
The Innovation of the Automobile:
Ford employed many innovative practices in the
workplace:
Safety – each worker was assigned one
specific task, reducing safety concerns.
Efficiency – the assembly line forced workers
to keep a certain pace with repetitive motions,
which increased efficiency and output.
Wages – workers were paid well.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Case Study:
Invention and Innovation
The Innovation of the Automobile:
As a result of Henry Ford’s work, a car could now
be produced in fifteen minutes, which decreased
the cost to the consumer while increasing profit
for the company.
Development of automotive technology increased
rapidly, as many small manufacturers began
producing automotive parts such as the electric
starter, drum/disc brakes, fuel injection
systems, etc.
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
Case Study:
Invention and Innovation
Reflection:
How does this example support the statement
that most technological development has been
evolutionary?
What was the basic invention that has evolved
into the modern automobile?
What is the future of automobile
innovation?
© 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology