Environmental conditions that lead to invention among engineers: a preliminary investigation

Existing studies of creativity have been carried out primarily by psychologists. While their research has contributed some very enlightening work in attempting to decipher what goes on in the creator's head, the focus is almost entirely on the arts and some of the sciences. The present work in progress considers invention as a form of human creativity within the profession of engineering, a profession closely associated with invention. In a society that increasingly depends on technical solutions to its problems, the need for future engineers who are more inventive and creative is obvious. The scope of this research includes a qualitative search of our general understanding of inventiveness and potential use of that understanding to improve engineering education. A preliminary model is developed of what environmental conditions encourage or discourage invention. Recommendations are generated as to how to foster and encourage invention among engineering students.