What is an Invention?

What is an Invention?

An invention is something that is developed by a person, or by a team of people, usually in response to a need. From paper cups to pencils, good inventions make our lives easier. Other inventions, such as candy bars, make our lives more fun. Some inventions meet an obvious need. The first can opener, invented in 1855, was made almost 60 years after the invention of the sealed tin can; before this, cans were opened with a hammer and chisel. Innovation is the application of better solutions that meet new requirements or needs. For example, the innovations to the light bulb—from incandescent to compact fluorescent to LED—has meant brighter lighting.

What is a discovery?

Discoveries and inventions often complement each other, but they are different things. A discovery is when something that already exists is found. The discovery of lodestone, a magnetic rock, led to the invention of the first compass, which sailors used to navigate.

Who was first?

Many inventions have been developed by different people at the same time. A famous example is the light bulb, first made by Englishman Joseph Swan and by American Thomas Edison in 1878. The two had not worked together.

What is a patent?

A patent is a legal document that grants sole rights to an individual or company to make, use, and sell an invention for a certain period of time. A patent protects an original idea, so the inventor can make money from it.