Inventor

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An inventor is someone who develops new or unique products, devices, concepts and processes. Their inventions often aim to improve the lives of consumers or solve specific challenges. Inventors typically generate ideas then develop them into products they can sell. These individuals can work independently and operate their own businesses or find employment at companies that create products. Some inventors license their ideas to companies that manufacture and sell the product. In return, the company may provide the inventor a royalty fee based on retail sales. FutureGrowthModerate

Inventors often design entire product lines, including marketing collateral and package designs. They may also develop new products for specialized markets and assist with mechanical testing. Inventors often work with CAD software, manage office operations, and control stock. Some inventors even design interactive websites using HTML and maintain social media channels. They may also conduct research and data collection, reverse-engineer competitor products, and develop business plans.

ANZSCO ID: N/A July 2024
  

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Successful inventors often have the following traits:

  • Creativity
    An inventor's primary responsibility is to develop new ideas and products. Creative thinking can help them identify and develop solutions to problems. For example, an inventor may notice that a few of their elder relatives have difficulty opening jars. To help them overcome this challenge, the inventor might develop a product that makes it easier and more comfortable to grip and twist jar lids. After creating a product, inventors may also use creativity to develop methods for marketing and selling their inventions.

  • Curiosity
    Inventors are often curious about how machines work. They typically research methods for solving specific problems to help address customer needs. This curiosity can influence them to ask questions that lead to new ideas for products. Curiosity may also encourage inventors to learn about new topics or acquire skills that can support the development of new products. For example, an inventor who needs to create a digital prototype might learn how to use computer-aided design software.

  • Persistence
    Inventors may test their ideas many times before determining a product is ready for market success. Inventors apply persistence throughout the invention process, from developing ideas to selling products. This trait can help inventors stay motivated by focusing on their desired outcomes. For example, if an inventor receives constructive criticism about a product they developed, they might apply what they learned and create a product that meets company standards.

  • Problem-solving
    Inventors often develop problem-solving skills that help them analyze their inventions and identify areas in need of improvement. For example, an inventor may notice that the electronic device they're building tends to overheat. They may perform research and test various solutions before determining that the best option is to install a fan to cool the device. Inventors may also use this skill to overcome obstacles during the production and sales processes.

  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with teams

What is an Inventor


Duties and Tasks

The inventor must also be able to negotiate a favourable licensing contract with an established manufacturer, or have the wherewithal to become an entrepreneur and go into the business of manufacturing her ideas herself.
  
Designs must be developed which avoid infringing on existing patents, and they must themselves be protected from others who would copy them.
  
Knowledge of the field in which an invention lies makes an inventor’s life much easier, both in developing new products and assessing the value of inventions as they are developed.

  • Develop and design new useful products or technologies

  • Conduct research to identify gaps in the market and potential solutions

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring ideas to fruition

  • Create prototypes of new inventions and test them for effectiveness

  • Maintain and enhance company/their own intellectual property portfolio


Did You Know?

All of these everyday items were also invented by Australians!

  • First full-length feature film (1906)

[The Story of the Kelly Gang, which ran for just over an hour screened at the Athenaeum Hall in 1906 was the world's first feature length film. ]

  • Surf lifesaving reels (1906)

Surf Reel

  • Sunshine header harvester (1914)

  • Speedo swimwear (1929)

  • Rotary clothes line (1946)

  • Wine casks (1965)

Winecask


[The wine cask was invented in 1965 by Thomas Angrove. Described in the patent application as 'improved container and pack' for liquids, the 1 gallon polyethelene bladder in a corrugated cardboard box did not have the tap we enjoy today but was cut open and resealed with a peg.]

  • Staysharp knives (1970)

  • Racecam live television broadcast (1979)

  • Wall-mounted Miniboil machines (1981)

  • Dual-flush toilets (1982)

  • Baby safety capsules (1984)

Baby capsule

  • Smartmodem (1992)

  • Frazier lens (1993) - read about Jim Frazier here

    Jim Frazier

  • WiFi (1996)
    (Source: Australian Government)
     

    We invented that by Matt Scullion
    https://youtu.be/V0iyfR2zHHw?si=Jb-1GSlwJSZcRjdF


    One person responded to this video with another lot of Australian inventions

    "Mate we've a right clever bunch down here! Spray on skin for burns victims, Permaculture, which led to people starting to become self-sufficient, aircraft inflatible slide and rafts, by a bloke working at Qantas, and now on every airliner around the world, the CSIRO gave us permanently creased clothing, the Frazier lens, which allows the subject and the background to be in focus at the same time, and can be rotated without moving the camera, and is now commonly used on movies around the world, Jim Frazer won a Academy Award for his invention back in 1998. The Triton WorkCentre, just about every shed has one, worldwide, yep, that's ours too. And even tank bred tuna! It's credited with saving the Southern Bluefin tuna. And so many Aussies wonder around with no clue of any of this, thanks for helping to show Aussies how brilliant we are down here in Oz!"

    Do YOU think you could add to Matt Scullion's song with these Australian inventions or look at Wikipedia to get more ideas especially the 21st Century inventions

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