Why Invent

I love the word invention. It is a synonym of creation, but it evokes a different kind of newness. Something that simply didn’t exist before now exists and you are the originator. The easy word to use here is Innovate. But it's a bit trite. 

There’s so much power in invention. To me, it’s best reflected in tools. Inventing tools means creating new ways of interacting with the world. For several years I’ve been working in the world of software tools and have maintained an ongoing passion for physical tools. Now I want to work on both worlds, helping people invent new things, new methods, new ideas with tools that they love to use.

I find these three tools as perfect examples of things that help me spark invention.

A pack of blank cards. 

Blank cards help me achieve a couple of things: first; it allows me to get many quick thoughts on paper without having to worry about style. I can draw something, write a word, write a bunch of words, track an observation. All without having to worry about order, sequence, or style. Second, because I created a nifty mess of ideas and thoughts on separate cards, I can rearrange however I like, and destroy cards I don’t care for anymore. 

This is very helpful with storytelling. Some people go for post-its, but I prefer blank cards laying on the desk. 

Pencil and eraser that can take a beating.

I envy how architects doodle. At one point I considered becoming an architect, mainly so I could convincingly hold a Kaweco Sketchup mechanical pencil and it’s corresponding eraser feeder.