THE LATEST FIELD GUIDE 10 MIN READ
The Problem Is Real, but Nobody Will Switch: How to Test Switching Costs
Separate weak demand from difficult adoption with a switching-cost worksheet, a worked workshop example and a practical changeover trial.
THE INVENTION JOURNAL
Ideas are
just the
beginning.
For the questions, prototypes and decisions that turn an idea into something useful.
Explore the field guides102PRACTICAL GUIDES20TOPICS TO EXPLORE
From the first question
to the first prototype.
All field guides
Validate the problem
How to Validate an Invention Before Building a Prototype
Test the customer problem, existing workaround and buying path before paying for a prototype.
5 MIN READ
Plan a prototype
What Should Your First Invention Prototype Actually Prove?
Choose the smallest prototype that resolves a costly uncertainty, with a test question, acceptance rule, and practical build brief.
5 MIN READ
Work with suppliers
How to Write an RFQ That Produces Comparable Manufacturing Quotes
Specify revision, material, quantity, finish, inspection, delivery, and assumptions so manufacturer quotes describe the same work.
4 MIN READWHERE ARE YOU IN THE PROCESS?
A useful next step,
wherever you are.
01020304
Find the right problem
Observe, ask and test the assumptions behind your idea.
Make it tangible
Choose materials, build prototypes and learn from testing.
Prepare for production
Work through costs, suppliers and the first production run.
Bring it to people
Plan a launch, find customers and keep improving.
BEFORE THE FIELD GUIDES
Independent minds.
Since 2006.
Meet the inventors who shared their ideas, experiments and stories with the original Inventor Underground community.
From the invention gallery
All 53 profilesSan Diego, CA
Qubits (tm)
Mark Burginger, Architect AIA
A Educational Construction/Science Toy. Break the mold of typical rectangular building blocks, use the shape that mimics the structure of Snowflakes and naturaSideways Bike
Michael Killian
This bicycle is ridden sideways and is balanced by using human Front to Back balance. This bicycle uses Front and Rear steering.CaliforniaCompact Disc Eraser
Wade Sun
Wipes out CD-Rs and DVDRs safely. No waste material, environmentally friendly. Easy to use. Prevents Data and Identity Theft.Behind the inventions
01The original podcast
The February 2006 podcast page featured in MAKE.
Inventors share advice
Lessons and reflections from the original contributors.
The podcast archive
Interviews and broadcast references from 2006.
WHERE IT BEGAN · 2006
A place for independent ideas
Inventor Underground brought together people who had auditioned for invention television programmes and those developing an idea away from the cameras. The directory gave each contributor room to describe an invention in their own words.
The collection follows that work through inventor profiles, personal stories, discussions and advice. It records a community interested in the process of invention as much as the television result.
Inventor Underground · The 2006 collection
Contributors’ accounts and product descriptions reflect their original time.