Last Updated: July 2nd, 2022 by
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Do you like to create things? Are you always looking for ways to improve upon products and services? If so, you may have what it takes to become a professional inventor.
Inventors are responsible for developing new products that help people address a need, satisfy a desire, or overcome obstacles.
Inventors typically work within numerous industries, making this a flexible career with a wide range of job prospects.
So, if you’re interested in learning how to become an inventor, keep reading! We’ll discuss the typical traits of inventors and the steps needed to learn how to become an inventor.
What’s an Inventor?
An inventor comes up with new ideas and designs for products or processes.
An inventor’s job is to find new ways to do things or improve upon existing methods. They are creative people who are always looking for new ways to solve problems.
Inventors can often see things differently than other people and can find new uses for everyday items.
In addition, many inventors have a natural curiosity and enjoy exploring how things work.
Some inventors get their ideas from observing how people use products or listening to their complaints about existing products.
Others get their ideas from reading about new developments in science and technology.
Inventors often keep a notebook or sketchpad handy, so they can jot down their thoughts as they come to them.
The best inventions result from many hours of hard work and perseverance, and most inventors have many failed attempts before they finally succeed.
Thomas Edison, one of the most famous inventors in history, said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
What makes an invention successful is a great idea and the ability to turn that idea into a reality.
Inventors must be able to take the pictures in their heads and turn them into a working product. This usually requires a lot of research, planning, and hard work.
Inventors must also be able to sell their idea to others and convince companies or investors that their invention is worth investing in.
Many inventors will hire a patent attorney to help them protect their ideas and file for patents (discussed more below).
Career Guide
How to Become an Inventor
If you’re interested in becoming an inventor, you can take a few steps.
These steps include:
Step 1: Choose an Industry
Being an inventor is an exciting and beneficial career, as you can get to work on something you are passionate about and make products that people will use and love.
But, to be a successful inventor, you have to choose the right industry to invent for. There are many industries, each with its own set of challenges and opportunities.
There are a few things to consider when choosing an industry to invent a new product. First, you need to think about what you’re passionate about.
What are you interested in? What do you know a lot about? Once you’ve identified your passions, you can start looking at industries that match up with those passions.
Another thing to consider is the market for the products you want to invent.
Is there a demand for them? Will people be willing to buy them? Are there already similar products on the market? If so, what makes your product different and better?
Before choosing an industry and market to invent, these are all critical questions to answer.
Do some research and ask around. This includes talking to other inventors and getting their thoughts on different industries.
Try to get a feel for which industries are hot right now and which ones have a lot of potential.
Once you choose an industry, you can start thinking about what sorts of products you want to invent.
Read More: How to Become a Product Manager. If you like working with different products, a product management career may be right for you.
Step 2: Learn About the Business of Inventing
Once you’ve chosen an industry to focus on, it’s time to start learning about the business of inventing.
Being an inventor is more than just having a great idea. To be successful, you need to understand the business of creating. The first step is to learn about the patent process.
Learning about the patent process will give you a better understanding of how to protect your ideas and make sure that you are the only one who can profit from them.
It would help if you also familiarize yourself with the market for your invention.
This will help you determine whether there is a demand for your product and how much you can realistically charge for it.
Finally, it would help if you had a plan for marketing and selling your invention.
Even the best products will not sell themselves, so you need to be prepared to put in the work necessary to get your product into the hands of potential buyers.
By taking the time to learn about the business of inventing, you can increase your chances of success as an inventor. Sound hard to believe?
Listen to successful inventor and cofounder of inventRight, Stephen Key, as he explains how to make a living as an inventor:
Step 3: Develop Your Ideas
Being an inventor is a lot of work.
You have to be able to come up with ideas and then develop them, which is a complex process, but it is essential to remember that you are not alone.
Luckily, there are resources available to help you.
The first step is to come up with an idea.
This can be something that you have always wanted or something that you think would be helpful to others. Once you have an idea, the next step is to research it.
First, you will want to see if anyone else has already come up with something similar and find out what makes your idea unique.
After you have done your research, the next step is to develop your argument. This includes coming up with a plan and finding the materials you need to bring your idea to life.
It can be a lot of work bringing an idea to fruition, but seeing your vision come to life is worth it and can be extremely gratifying.
Step 4: Build a Prototype
A prototype is a working model of your invention. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be able to show how your design works.
Prototypes can be made from various materials, including cardboard, foam core, wood, and even 3D-printed plastic.
The important thing is that it’s functional and can be used to test your invention.
Building a prototype is an essential step in the inventing process. It lets you see if your idea works the way you think.
It also helps you figure out any potential problems with your invention before you try to sell or license it.
Finally, it gives you something tangible to show investors or companies when trying to raise money for it.
So if you’ve got a great idea, don’t just sit on it — build a prototype and bring it to life!
Step 5: File for a Patent
Being an inventor comes with a lot of paperwork, but one of the most critical steps is filing for a patent.
A patent gives you the legal right to your invention and excludes others from making, using, or selling your invention in the country where you obtained the patent for up to 20 years.
To file for a patent, you must first determine which type of patent you need. There are three types of patents: utility, design, and plant.
Once you have selected the appropriate type of patent, you must draft a detailed specification of your invention.
This specification must include a description of how to make and use your imagination and any accompanying drawings.
Once your specification is complete, you must file a formal application with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The USPTO will then review your application and determine whether or not to grant you a patent.
If you are granted a patent, you will be given exclusive rights to your invention, which you can use to prevent others from infringing on your intellectual property.
Step 6: Build and Sell Your Invention
Bringing an invention to market can be a long and complex process, but the rewards can be significant.
You will be satisfied knowing that you created something, and you will also receive financial compensation for your efforts.
The end salary of being an inventor really depends on your product, the industry, and how it sells.
However, ZipRecruiter estimated that an inventor’s salary was $60,329 in 2022, and could be closer to $93,500 or more if you invent a quality product that sells well.
If you think an invention has commercial potential, don’t hesitate to start bringing it to market. With hard work and perseverance, you could see your dreams come true.
Conclusion
Continue inventing, and always remember to have fun! Inventing is a creative process, so enjoy it and let your imagination run wild.
There are no limits to what you can create, so keep coming up with new ideas and never give up on your dreams.
Who knows, maybe you’ll invent the next big thing in the world of invention one day!