The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-04-09
MOST INVENTORS ARE
lDBALISTS, DREAMERS

BY NGTH'L c. FOWLER, R.

characteristic, that of originality-
that is, the ability to create: and
often he does not possess even prac-
ticability. which is necessary to n
profitable career. All the education.
all the training ana all the inclina-
ton in the world will not make an
inventor out OF one who does not
possess natural inventive ability. A
crude ability by itself Is likely to ac-
complish but little as compared with
what would be possible with this
natural capacity developed by an ap-
propriate training. The inventor is
close observer. and his faculties al
ways are alert.
The financial value of an invention
depends upon it's usefulness and up-
on whether or not 10 is new or differ
ent from any other and upon what
1t Is worth in : purely commercial
way. VIII it make money or save
time and money? If it will do nei-
ther' from a paying point OF view, IT
does not make any difference how
good it is or how marvellous must
have been the genius who conceived
1T. The great law Of commercialism
law often working without reason,
must decide upon the value of the
invention; and its decision is final.
being subject to no appeal
Fo~ financial profit combination
OF invention and business promotion
Is necessary. 1t is not an unusual
thing for the inventor to be paid
small sum and then to be frozen out
altogether, partly because it is easy
to cheat the inventor, who may be
practically defenseless.
Most inventors are cranks and
many of them are obstreperous. Be
cause they have invented something.
they seem possessed with the idea
that the development of their inven-
ton is impossible without their con
stant aid and attention.
Professor Elihu Thomson. inventor
and electrician, of Swampscott. Mass
says: Il consider that invention may
in most cases be regarded as creative
engineering. 1t unquestionably is
true that the same factors which lead
TO success i'm other lines Of effort will
help young man having inventive
common sense, scientific knowledge,
method and persistency in overcom-
ing obstacles. Good morals, honesty.
and integrity are, of course, assumed
to be qualities not lacking in the
aspirant. The absence of these quail
tiles above enumerated, or the pos
session of their decided opposites, is
conducive to failure in this field, as
In other walks of life. | desire not
to be understood as assuming that
success or failure are to be taken
In any limited sense. Too often they
are written in dollars and cents. But
does not that man succeed in the
highest sense who has been able to
enjoy his work, to use his talents.
and thereby contribute to the prog
ress of the world? A degree of finan-
ctal success is desirable, but it is a
deplorable condition when it Is the
only ideal
81 know little about the 'profes
sion of inventing.' l cannot recall
among my friends a sufficient number
of such men. l know many men who
have made invention a part of their
work I'm various departments of engi-
neering. Broadly considered, | hard
ly think that any rules can be laid
down as to how, when or what to in
vent. Invention covers such a wide
range. When one invents, he pic
lures to himself. as sort of mental
image, new thing or new com
bination of old things, serving, per-
haps. useful purpose This con
ceptiOn, if 10 be clear and definite.
may be worked out into practical
forms by its originator or impaired
by him to others whose duty IL is to
complete the work. There is nothing
mysterious about the whole matter
The inventor is one who recognizes
defects in existing means. who looks
ahead, who doubts that present con-
ditions are ultimate or best Author
tiles are doubted until their conclu-
sions have been tested by experience.
With the inventive mind, obstacles to
progress, instead of controlling the
situation, often only stimulate to
greater effort 10 pass them.
'It is with inventor as with artists
there are all grades of ability. The
obtaining OF a patent is popularity
supposed to be indicative of inventive
talent. This is a mistake Neither
does the possession of a patent for
an invention otherwise good neces-
sarily make value The invention
may infringe other existing claims. it
may be Old or antiquated. it may be
ahead OF its time the patent MAY not
claim the real essentials OF tho i'm
vention and finally the courts uay
not agree with those versed i'm the
arts as TO there being any invention
at all or IT'S having merit Eyon with
the best inventions accidents happen
and opinions differ The inventor.
therefore. needs TO- cultivate "a Judi
ciaI temper of mind enabling him to
look at all sides of subject Some
times his enthusiasm. excusable AS IL
may be. dims his vision in certain di-
rcclions
John NJ Wakeman. president and
general manager o, the Electrical
World and Engineer of New York
says The professional inventor
that is To- say, the man who makes
his liWpg out OF his inventions with.
out any regular line Of work or
steady employment, has to be excep.
ffOun1 Ho ha- fo f,f-o .. . go