Are you looking for a career that allows you to be creative, solve complex problems, and positively impact the world? Consider becoming an inventor! As a practicing inventor and having trained thousands of other inventors, helping many get their first patents, I am a unique witness to why inventing can be a gratifying path.
I believe everyone is an inventor. Everyone creates, solves problems, and makes things happen. It’s not how creative you are. It is how you are creative! But, when one crosses the line and files a patent and has a patent issue, the world becomes different. You join a particular club, one that has unique rewards. I won’t discuss the “business” rewards from the patent issuance itself, which is covered in many papers, articles, and books. Still, I will discuss the “other rewards” patenting inventors get that maybe you may have never thought about. I hope this article encourages you to explore this side of your creativity. You won’t regret it!
Silent Appreciation
Many times, mostly when I am alone, thinking thru the day or even more broadly about life itself as many of us do, every once in a while, I have an inner smile that I’m an inventor. Having a patent means that some third party (the patent office) recognized the invention as genuinely new, useful, and non-obvious. A patent office doesn’t use politics or favoritism to allow issuance. It is just that based on their rules, the patents are allowed. It is so nice when you might question so much of the day or your career that you can look back in silent appreciation. Would you like to have this level of silent appreciation?
Unique Club
It is estimated that around 13.7 billion people have been born since 1700. However, this is only an estimate, and it is difficult to determine an exact number due to limited data and uncertainties in population estimates. There have been roughly 100 million patents granted worldwide. Even though there could be multiple inventors per patent, some rough estimates would put 50 million unique inventors. One patent can be filed in many countries and have many continuations. So, about .4% of the people since 1700 have obtained patents. That’s 1 in 250. So, the patent inventors clubs genuinely are unique. In this club, I have met walks from all walks of life, all ages (youngest five years old), all races, religions, all countries, and all personalities. I have seen wealthy people and people of ordinary means can obtain patents. So, this unique inventor club’s only rational explanation is that it includes creative people who have the drive to patent and, in doing so, officially become and patenting inventor. Once in this club, unlike many clubs, it’s permanent. It can be taken away (unless, of course, the patent becomes invalidated in patent litigation. Would you like to belong to this unique club?
The potential to change the world
Inventors have created many things that have significantly impacted society. For example, Thomas Edison’s invention of the light bulb revolutionized how we live and work, providing a safer and more efficient way to illuminate our homes and workplaces. His name is related to the change in the world. It’s a great feeling to walk somewhere, like an airport, and see your invention on an advertising marquee, knowing you have changed the world. I can also tell you it is almost impossible to know when you have invented something that others will deem to have changed the world! But wouldn’t you like to have a chance to change the world?
Intellectual stimulation
Inventing requires creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. For example, when Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, he had to figure out how to transmit and receive sounds over a long distance, a complex problem that required him to think outside the box. There are many personal benefits to engaging in intellectual stimulation, which can include (1) Mental agility, (2) improved memory, (3) increased creativity, (4) personal growth, (5) improved well-being, (6) personal satisfaction and (7) learning new skills. There is a beautiful peace that comes with inventing and patenting. I have witnessed this joy many times working with inventors of all kinds. There seems to be a certain internal excitement in the eyes of the patenting inventor! You should try it!
The potential to help others
Many inventions are designed to solve problems or meet specific needs. For example, Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first home security system in the 1960s to protect her family. Her invention has since helped countless others feel safer in their homes. Louis Pasteur’s invention of pasteurization has saved countless lives by making food and drink safer to consume. Yes, inventors, many times, help others. I have often seen the joy of an inventor telling me not only about their invention, but these inventors seem most pleased with the praise they get from the invention users that have helped others. Is there a better reason to become an inventor?
Freedom to explore
As an inventor, you can explore your ideas and passions. No matter your job or position, you have true intellectual freedom as an inventor. For an inventor, having the freedom to explore means having the ability to explore different ideas, concepts, and approaches without being limited by external constraints such as time, financial resources, or legal restrictions. It means being able to think creatively and take risks in pursuing innovation and invention. This freedom to explore allows an inventor to test new ideas and concepts, experiment with different methods, and explore new avenues of research and development. It also enables them to think differently and consider unconventional solutions to problems. Having the freedom to explore can be essential for inventors because it allows them to push the boundaries of what is currently possible and develop new technologies or products that have the potential to transform industries or even change the world. In today’s world, with the internet and A.I. tools, the inventor can explore efficiently and at a low cost. There is no better time to have the freedom to explore. Wouldn’t you want more freedom?
Entrepreneurial opportunities
Many inventors start their own companies and become entrepreneurs. I know firsthand many inventors who invent for many reasons we have discussed, but I also know that patenting inventors are passionate about making their ideas happen. Therefore many find entrepreneurial ways to manifest their inventions. Although we all can understand the entrepreneur who has the patents and starts the company , raises the money, and monetizes the patents, many never get to this level. However, it is exciting to think about what goes on the way before this success. For example, some things that happen early on are (1) identifying a critical problem, (2) conducting a feasibility Study, (3) developing a business plan, (4) protecting intellectual property, and then (5) raising capital. All these steps are learning times in a person’s life that help grow the person. You may not realize this, but becoming a patented inventor may be the ticket to learning all these new skills and more. Wow, it’s incredible to realize what an inventor starts to be and where they end up being. This is so cool!
The potential to inspire others
By sharing your experiences and insights as an inventor, you can inspire others to pursue their ideas and dreams. For example, Ruth Handler, the inventor of the Barbie doll, inspired generations of girls to think about the possibilities of their futures. Barbie was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. The Ken doll was named after Handler’s son and was introduced two years after Barbie debuted. Handler and her husband Elliot started the toy company Mattel in their garage in 1939. There are many times when I am in my laboratory at home, where I work on projects, I look at things I use all the time, from a screwdriver to circuit element, a Dremel or even a simple A.A. battery, the someone, an inventor, had to invent it. It is incredible to look at the world from this perspective. You begin to appreciate others and their creativity. Maybe something inspires you similarly. Maybe you could do this for others?
Legacy
Many years after an inventor has passed away, the inventor may get recognized. It is not uncommon for obituaries to highlight the patents of the deceased, especially if they had a significant impact in their field. Here are a few examples, such as Denis Burke Drennan, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and author of dozens of U.S. and international patents for medical devices, passed away on April 6, 2023, at the age of 85. It is easy to find countless obituaries of people who leave behind the legacy that they were inventors. I have been in countless situations, even not business related, in that person talks about their grandfather or aunt who “was an inventor”! I see the pride in their eyes, almost like their heritage is honored by the relative inventor. We would all like to leave this world with a positive legacy. Wouldn’t you like to impact society like an inventor positively?
Becoming a patenting inventor offers immense personal and professional rewards. From joining an exclusive community to making a lasting impact on the world, the possibilities are endless. Don’t let your creative potential go untapped. If you’re ready to explore ways to motivate inventors at your company, contact ipCapital Group today. Our team of experts can help you cultivate an environment that fosters innovation and empowers inventors to reach new heights. Unleash the power of creativity and transform your organization with ipCapital Group’s guidance and support.