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.
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
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)
Sunshine header
harvester (1914)
Speedo swimwear
(1929)
Rotary clothes
line (1946)
Wine casks
(1965)
[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.]
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