Many of the important inventions that changed the world were the result of accidents, including the wireless, electricity, sanitation and penicillin. Other things that we take for granted and that were discovered by trial and error or by chance, were microwaves, anti lock brakes, Superglue and GPS technology. Many of these things were discovered while trying to find or research something else and partly because of this, anybody can potentially be an inventor.

Super glue and microwave ovens are two good examples of things that were invented by accident. Super glue was invented in the early 1940s by a scientist who was actually trying to develop more efficient gun sights for the US Military. The strong sticky substance was analyzed after the war and it was found that it could have other practical applications. The microwave was the result of a scientist who was using radiation waves to melt chocolate. And most of us use those little yellow sticky notes; they too were developed by accident when the Research and Development section of 3M failed to devise a powerful glue, but came up with the easy to remove sticky notes.

If you are wondering just how to invent something, probably the easiest way is to identify a need and then come up with a solution to it. It really can be the simplest things, such as the first person to realize that the food in the bottom of a pan can be better removed with a straight edged spoon, rather than a conventional round spoon. Think of some of the simple things that we take for granted, such as the resealable lid on a plastic bottle, mousetraps, electric can openers or disposable razors.

A good approach to inventing something is trying to work out what would make life easier, or make a specific task or procedure easier. You may not come up with one of the classic inventions that changed the world, but you can actually make some money from a simple invention and perhaps change people’s lives. Think simple and how such simple but ingenious things as pencils with erasers on them and hair dryers make our lives a lot easier.