Invention

Thomas Edison with phonograph. Edison is considered one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding 1,093 U.S. patents in his name

An invention is a new thing that someone has made. The computer was an invention when it was first made. We say when it was "invented". New things that are made or created are called inventions. Cars and plastics are inventions that everyone knows. Inventions are made by inventors. Many inventions are patented.

Ideas are also called inventions. Writers can invent characters, and then invent a story about them.

Inventing

Over time, humans have invented objects which make life easier for themselves. Because of this, a quote "necessity is the mother of invention", was written. The quote means that a lack of something should inspire someone to create something to fill that empty space. However, not all people believe that this is true. They think that too much of something can lead to an invention. Many inventions are just a variation of something that already exists.

Other websites

• List of PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) Important Inventions Archived 2007-03-12 at the Wayback Machine (on the WIPO web site)