Invention

Wikipedia, the free, on-line encyclopedia says:

An invention is the discovery or creation of a new configuration, composition of matter, device, or process. Some inventions are based on pre-existing models or ideas. Other inventions are radical breakthroughs which may extend the boundaries of human knowledge or experience.

Inventions that get out into the world are innovations, and may be a major breakthroughs or of minor and incremental impact. The effects can also be inbetween these two extremes.

An invention that is novel and not obvious to those who are skilled in the same field may be able to obtain the legal protection of a patent. There is also a cultural invention which is an innovative set of useful social behaviors adopted by people who then passed on to others.

Inventors are not necessarily entrepreneurs. Often they make lousy business leaders because their skill-set does not include entrepreneurial skills. Just about everything we use now was invented by somebody, everything from cars to computer chips. In fact the history of the world could be written as the history of innovation.

Entrepreneurs have to be aware of what's being invented and see how they can use inventions to make a difference in the world.

Are you an inventor? Know one? Let me know by posting a comment.

Entrepreneurship is the life's blood of all my professional activities. For entrepreneurial real estate, go to www.yourstopforrealestate.com/blog and for entrepreneurial writing and publishing, to www.kearneymusicschoolmurders.blogspot.com