How To Invent: My 30 Year Innovation Process.

Can You Learn To Invent?

Research & Development

My dad was a research scientist ( DSc and Fellow of the Royal Society). I remember his work even featuring on the BBC Nine O’Clock News back in the 1970s. We were incredibly proud of him, and he strongly encouraged my interest in engineering and invention.
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His job, at its core, was to find answers to difficult problems. Research scientists don’t just have ideas — they design and carry out structured programmes of experiments often lasting years, testing and retesting, analysing results, and refining their approach again and again.
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That’s why invention is never just about the initial idea. Every idea is followed by a long period of research, testing, redesigning, and more testing. In many cases, hundreds — if not thousands — of prototypes are built and evaluated before something truly works.
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I know I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: if you want to invent something, you must be prepared for — and allow time for — this R&D period.

It’s not optional; it’s fundamental.
Many successful companies recognise this and invest heavily in Research & Development departments.

These teams are specifically tasked with generating new ideas and developing them to a feasibility stage, before they are handed over to Product Development teams to be engineered for manufacture.

Team Work & Collaboration

The Laundry rain cover also showed me how, although one person may come up with the initial idea, in most cases—if not all—others you work with will contribute input and add ideas to improve on the original.

So, it’s extremely rare nowadays, especially in companies where there is a lot of existing expertise and IP, for one person to be the sole inventor on a patent.

It really is a process of teamwork and collaboration. For example, if I had tried to patent the laundry cover idea (I’m sure it has been done, though), my mum and dad would both be included as co-inventors.

My mum suggested it needed a proper cover, and my Dad helped with material selection, and offered other ideas!

But if I were to try and patent it, it’s important not to rush around telling everyone about the idea. And if you do need to show it to people, always make sure they sign NDAs first.

Can You Protect It?

As I was pretty sure I wanted to engineering and invent for a living, I decided to learn about patents.

After wallpapering a room, to me the light switches stuck out like sore thumbs.

So I asked my parents why not cover them too—Dad said the paper would get grubby and peel off.

So I fashioned a cover from acetate sheet, folding it into a box that fit the switch plate. I lined it with matching wallpaper, cutting a slot for the toggle. It made the switch blend in

I didn't particularly love ths idea but as a low-stakes exercise (provisional patents cost just £1 back then), I ordered the Inventor’s Kit from the UK Patent Office, followed the guide, and typed up an application.

It definetly wasn’t airtight, but I filed it anyway.

So, Armed with a Provisonal Patent Application I wrote to a few companies.

To my surprise, Mangers and Coloroll replied—both politely declined for various reasons, which I expected to be honest.

Just Enough To Be Dangerous

This experience taught me that it helps to know at least a little about a field before trying to make a meaningful contribution.

Fresh eyes can absolutely spot things experts miss — but there’s a subtle balance to strike.
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I’ve noticed that as people become more expert, they’re often less willing to try new ideas. Experience makes you subconsciously anticipate problems, which can cause promising ideas to be dismissed too early.
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That said, some basic knowledge is essential — enough to be “dangerous,” as the saying goes.
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For example, I knew nothing about interior design and its deliberate use of contrast. Designers will sometimes leave elements like light switches clearly visible as accents, adding visual interest and preventing a room from feeling flat.

Without that insight, I thought I’d identified a problem — when in fact, professionals saw it as a feature.
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The idea itself wasn’t revolutionary, or even particularly good, but the process taught me a great deal about patents — especially the importance of when and how widely you disclose an idea.
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One lesson is non-negotiable: don’t rush around telling people about an idea before it’s protected.
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It’s also worth remembering that IP isn’t limited to novel mechanisms. In some cases, a design registration may be more appropriate, as it can protect appearance as well as function.

Use our PATENT STRATEGY TOOL To map your protection path, including costs and timelines in your region

Tools To Help You Invent

Tools To Help You Invent
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This just scratches the surface.  

For me I seem to try and find a solution for a Problem as The Saying Goes " Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention"

Below are some sysytemised tools to help you come up with some great ideas.

Stuck for Inspiration? Try our FREE Tools to help you

Use Our Free Interactive Tools To Help You Invent and Ideate

🧩 ULTIMATE UNIT CONVERTER

🏎 THINK LIKE A FORMULA ONE TEAM

👀 DESIGN THINKING TOOL
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👁 SCAMPER IDEATION TECHNIQUE

🧮 SYSTEMATIC INVENTIVE THINKING

🧠 MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

🧢 SIX THINKING HATS

🏹 TRIZ TOOL
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⚡️RANDOM IDEATION TECHNIQUES
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✊ IP STRATEGY ADVISOR
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🔥 INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
Over 2000 quotes from Lao Tzu, Socrates, Plateo, Elon Musk, Steve Jobs & many more...
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MY UK AND AUSTRALIAN CAREER HISTORY  
invention path
Copyright © 2025 INVENTIONPATH

How to Invent: My 30-Year Process from 100+ Patents

A Design Engineer's Proven System for Generating Patentable Ideas

After 30 years as a design engineer and accumulating over 100 patents working with companies like DeWalt, Black & Decker, Stanley, and ResMed, I've developed a systematic approach to invention that anyone can learn. This isn't theory from an academic textbook—it's a real-world process refined through thousands of hours creating products that people actually use.

My Personal Invention Process: How I Generate Patentable Ideas

Invention isn't magic. It's not about waiting for inspiration to strike. It's about having a reliable system you can deploy whenever you need innovative solutions. Here's the exact process I use when I need to invent something new:

Step 1: Define the Problem Clearly

Most failed inventions start with a poorly defined problem. I spend significant time understanding exactly what needs to be solved. Questions I ask:

Step 2: Research Existing Solutions and Patents

Before inventing anything, I thoroughly research what already exists. This includes:

This research phase prevents reinventing the wheel and often reveals gaps in existing solutions where new patents are possible.

Step 3: Apply Systematic Innovation Techniques

This is where the real invention happens. I use proven ideation techniques that force your brain to think differently. These aren't random brainstorming sessions—they're structured methods that consistently generate patentable concepts.

The Innovation Tools I Use Daily

SCAMPER Technique for Invention

SCAMPER is my go-to technique for product improvement and invention. It's an acronym that prompts you to think about products in seven different ways:

Real Example: When designing cordless power tools, SCAMPER led me to question battery placement (Rearrange), combine tool functions (Combine), and eliminate unnecessary weight (Eliminate). Several patents came from this single SCAMPER session.

TRIZ: The Russian Innovation System

TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) is based on analyzing millions of patents to identify patterns in how problems are solved. It includes 40 Inventive Principles that provide specific strategies for overcoming technical contradictions.

Key TRIZ Principles I Use Most:

Real Example: TRIZ's "Nested Doll" principle inspired telescoping handle designs. "Beforehand Cushioning" led to safety features that activate before accidents occur.

Morphological Analysis for Complex Products

When inventing complex products with multiple variables, I use Morphological Analysis. This technique breaks down a product into its essential functions, lists alternative ways to achieve each function, and systematically combines them to create new concepts.

Example Process:

This method generated over 200 conceptual variations for a single power tool project, with 15+ becoming patentable designs.

Design Thinking Process

Design Thinking provides a human-centered framework for innovation. The five stages are:

Design Thinking is particularly valuable when inventing consumer products where user experience is critical.

Formula One Innovation Methods

Formula One teams are masters of rapid innovation under extreme constraints. I've adapted their methods:

This approach is excellent when you need continuous improvement rather than breakthrough innovation.

Six Thinking Hats Method

Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats helps evaluate ideas from different perspectives:

This method prevents groupthink and ensures thorough evaluation of invention concepts before investing in prototypes.

Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT)

SIT is a streamlined version of TRIZ focused on five thinking tools:

SIT is particularly effective for incremental innovation and product line extensions.

Step 4: Generate Multiple Concepts

I never stop at the first idea. Using the techniques above, I typically generate 20-50 concepts for any given problem. Quantity leads to quality in invention—the 47th idea is often better than the 1st.

My concept generation rules:

Step 5: Evaluate and Select Concepts

After generating concepts, I use a structured evaluation process:

I score each concept on these criteria and focus resources on the highest-scoring ideas.

Step 6: Build and Test Prototypes

Paper concepts mean nothing until they're tested in the real world. I build prototypes as quickly and cheaply as possible:

Every prototype teaches you something. Failed prototypes are often more valuable than successful ones because they reveal what doesn't work.

Step 7: File Patent Applications

Once I have a proven concept, I work with patent attorneys to protect the intellectual property. Key patent strategies:

Real Innovation Stories from My Career

Power Tool Battery Innovation

Challenge: Users complained about battery placement interfering with balance and visibility. Using SCAMPER's "Rearrange" principle, I experimented with unconventional battery locations. This led to a patent for a slide-on battery pack that improved tool balance and allowed hot-swapping without stopping work.

Dust Collection System

Challenge: Traditional dust collection added bulk and cost. Using TRIZ's "Taking Out" principle, I separated the dust collection from the tool body. The result was a modular system that could be added or removed based on user needs—three patents emerged from this approach.

Ergonomic Handle Design

Challenge: One handle design can't fit all hand sizes comfortably. Morphological Analysis helped me map out all possible grip variations. By combining adjustable angle, removable components, and texture variations, I created a handle system that adapts to different users—resulting in five related patents.

Medical Device Safety Feature

Challenge: Needed to prevent accidental activation of medical equipment. TRIZ's "Beforehand Cushioning" principle suggested anticipating the error condition. This led to a sensor-based system that detects incorrect setup before activation—a critical safety innovation that became a key patent for ResMed.

Common Invention Mistakes to Avoid

The Innovation Mindset

Beyond techniques and processes, successful invention requires a particular mindset:

Tools and Resources I Use

How to Start Your Invention Journey

If you're new to inventing, here's how to begin:

For Beginners:

  1. Take the Creative Personality Test: Understand your natural innovation style
  2. Start with SCAMPER: It's the easiest technique to learn and apply
  3. Choose a simple problem: Don't start with complex inventions
  4. Generate 20 ideas: Force yourself past the obvious solutions
  5. Build a rough prototype: Even cardboard mockups teach valuable lessons
  6. Search existing patents: Learn what's already been done
  7. Join inventor communities: Learn from experienced inventors

For Intermediate Inventors:

  1. Learn TRIZ fundamentals: Study the 40 Inventive Principles
  2. Try Morphological Analysis: For complex multi-variable problems
  3. File a provisional patent: Protect your best concepts early
  4. Build functional prototypes: Move beyond appearance models
  5. Conduct user testing: Get real feedback from target users
  6. Study successful patents: Analyze how others protected similar inventions

For Advanced Inventors:

  1. Combine multiple techniques: TRIZ + SCAMPER + Design Thinking
  2. Build patent portfolios: Multiple related patents create defensible positions
  3. Work with patent attorneys: Professional help maximizes protection
  4. Consider licensing: Don't just invent—commercialize your IP
  5. Mentor others: Teaching reinforces your own innovation skills

InventionPath Tools and Resources

I've created interactive tools based on the techniques I use daily:

Frequently Asked Questions About Inventing

How long does it take to develop a patentable invention?

It varies dramatically. Simple improvements might take weeks, while complex systems can take years. My average is 3-6 months from initial concept to provisional patent filing, including multiple rounds of prototyping and testing.

Do I need an engineering degree to be an inventor?

No. Some of the best inventions come from people experiencing problems firsthand. Engineering knowledge helps with feasibility and prototyping, but creativity and persistence are more important than formal education.

How much does it cost to file a patent?

Provisional patents cost $130-$280 for USPTO filing fees. Full utility patents with attorney help typically cost $8,000-$15,000. Design patents are cheaper at $2,000-$4,000. International filing multiplies these costs significantly.

Which innovation technique should I start with?

SCAMPER is the easiest for beginners. It's intuitive, requires no special training, and immediately generates ideas. Once comfortable with SCAMPER, add TRIZ for more systematic problem-solving.

How do I know if my idea is patentable?

Search existing patents on USPTO and Google Patents. Your invention must be: (1) Novel - truly new, (2) Non-obvious - not a predictable combination, (3) Useful - serves a practical purpose. Consult a patent attorney for definitive answers.

Should I build a prototype before filing a patent?

You don't need a working prototype to file a patent, but I strongly recommend it. Prototypes reveal design flaws and often lead to additional patentable improvements. File a provisional patent first, then refine the design before filing the full utility patent.

How do I protect my idea while discussing it with others?

Use Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) before sharing details. However, many companies won't sign NDAs for unsolicited ideas. File a provisional patent first for legal protection before any discussions.

Can I patent an improvement to an existing product?

Yes! Many of my patents are improvements to existing products. The improvement must be novel and non-obvious. Even small innovations can be patentable if they provide clear benefits.

What if someone already invented something similar?

Study their patent carefully. You might be able to patent a different implementation, improvement, or application. Many successful patents are variations of existing concepts applied in new ways.

How do I make money from my inventions?

Several options: (1) License patents to companies for royalties, (2) Start a company to manufacture and sell, (3) Sell patents outright, (4) Use patents defensively if you're in business. Licensing is most common for individual inventors.

The Reality of Professional Inventing

After 100+ patents and 30 years, here's the honest truth about inventing:

Why I Created InventionPath

After decades of professional inventing, I wanted to share what actually works. Not academic theory, but real techniques I use every day to generate patentable ideas. InventionPath provides the exact tools and methods that have resulted in over 100 patents across power tools, medical devices, consumer products, and industrial equipment.

Whether you're an aspiring inventor, professional engineer, entrepreneur, or just curious about innovation, these proven techniques will help you generate better ideas more consistently.

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