Inventology audiobook cover - How We Dream Up Things That Change the World

Inventology

How We Dream Up Things That Change the World

Pagan Kennedy

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Motivation & InspirationEntrepreneurship

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Inventology
Problem Identification+
Observation & Exploration+
Data-Driven Discovery+
Imagination & Forecasting+
The Outsider Advantage+
Actionable Steps+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
Why was Robert Plath able to successfully improve upon Bernard Sadow's initial wheeled suitcase design?
  • A. He had a background in mechanical engineering and understood physics better.
  • B. He traveled daily as an airline pilot, giving him a deeper, repetitive understanding of the problem.
  • C. He secured a massive amount of funding from airline investors to test multiple prototypes.
  • D. He used early data-mining techniques to analyze consumer luggage preferences.
Question 2 of 8
According to the book, what is one of the crucial components for turning a frustrating, hidden problem into a successful invention, as demonstrated by Jack Dorsey's creation of Twitter?
  • A. The problem must be solved using advanced bioinformatics.
  • B. You must have a team of expert scientists to develop the initial prototype.
  • C. You must accept that it might take a long time for the technology or market to catch up.
  • D. The solution must be immediately profitable within the first year of its launch.
Question 3 of 8
Based on Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's experiment with art students, how do 'Super-Encounterers' approach problems differently than others?
  • A. They focus narrowly on a single concept from the very beginning to ensure completion.
  • B. They explore their environment broadly and base their work on discovery and improvisation.
  • C. They rely exclusively on data-mining to inform their creative decisions.
  • D. They wait for a stroke of luck to provide them with a fully formed idea before taking action.
Question 4 of 8
How has the rise of 'Big Data' and bioinformatics changed the landscape of medical discoveries?
  • A. It has made discoveries entirely dependent on accidental laboratory spills rather than focused research.
  • B. It allows researchers to find new uses for old medications by analyzing thousands of past experiments in record time.
  • C. It has decreased the need for clinical trials because computers can perfectly simulate human biology.
  • D. It requires inventors to have deep, specialized knowledge in multiple medical fields to operate the algorithms.
Question 5 of 8
What does Lawrence Herbert’s creation of the Pantone color-coding system illustrate about the nature of invention?
  • A. Groundbreaking inventions always require millions of dollars in initial funding.
  • B. Valuable inventions can be created 'out of nothing' using just an idea to establish a universal standard.
  • C. The best inventions are those that solve complex technological or medical problems.
  • D. Inventions usually fail unless they are backed by a large team of specialized scientists.
Question 6 of 8
What does the example of Moore's Law demonstrate about technological forecasting?
  • A. Forecasting is usually highly inaccurate when it comes to computing and communications.
  • B. An accurate prediction can act as a self-fulfilling prophecy that drives industry behavior and new inventions.
  • C. Forecasting should only be attempted by people completely outside of the technology industry.
  • D. Predicting the future is a futile exercise because human desire changes too rapidly.
Question 7 of 8
How did Nikola Tesla utilize his mind as a 'test lab' for his inventions?
  • A. He relied heavily on physical prototypes and numerous sketches before visualizing the final product.
  • B. He used data-mining to find connections between previous electrical experiments in his head.
  • C. He used his imagination to clearly envision and mentally construct his inventions before physically building them.
  • D. He crowdsourced his ideas by asking detailed questions to his peers and students to form a mental picture.
Question 8 of 8
What do the stories of John Harrison (a carpenter) and Adam Rivers (a marine biologist) reveal about problem-solving?
  • A. The best solutions often come from individuals who operate outside the specific industry facing the problem.
  • B. Only highly specialized experts can solve complex historical or scientific problems.
  • C. Inventions are rarely successful unless they are commissioned and funded by a government entity.
  • D. A deep understanding of a problem can only be achieved through formal education in that exact field.

Inventology — Full Chapter Overview

Inventology Summary & Overview

Inventology (2016) shows us how the world’s brightest minds identify problems and come up with brilliant solutions. Find out how you need to think in order to discern future trends and create the next great invention!

Who Should Listen to Inventology?

  • Anyone interested in coming up with new ideas
  • Business owners looking for great solutions
  • Entrepreneurs looking for inspiration to start a new business

About the Author: Pagan Kennedy

Pagan Kennedy, a journalist, writer and former MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellow, specializes in microbiology and neuro-engineering. She has written several books, both fictional and non-fictional, and her journalism has appeared in such publications as the New York Times Book Review and the Boston Globe Magazine.

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