How to Make an Easy Invention

You can create an easy and economical invention.

An invention always begins with a prototype, or example, of your invention idea. Making the prototype will protect your idea from being claimed as someone else's. It’s also the best way to accurately convey to a manufacturer what you would like it to reproduce for you. Making a simple, easy invention doesn’t have to be costly if you are resourceful and creative. It can start as a simple prototype made of common household materials.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Foam
• Cardboard
• Glue
• Oven-baked or air-dried sculpting clay
• CAD software

Instructions

1. Sketch your invention on a piece of paper and label the parts. Make notes in the margins describing how your invention will operate.

2. Decide whether you need to make a working or nonworking prototype to show to your manufacturer.

3. Use malleable items such as foam, paper, cardboard, glue and/or oven-baked or air dried sculpting clay to model your prototype. You can use any materials you wish to make your prototype. You are limited only by your imagination and your budget.

4. Use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to draw a prototype of your invention. Do this only if making a physical model is not feasible.

5. Use the Internet to find a manufacturer that can help you create your final invention based on your prototype. See the Thomas Register for a list of manufacturers by specialty and state.

6. Find out the manufacturer's charge for replicating a copy of your prototype.

7. Submit your CAD drawing or prototype to the manufacturer.

8. Examine the manufacturer's model very carefully before placing a large order.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact local trades people to help you with parts of your invention, if necessary. Call local automotive shops, tool-and-die shops, pipe fitters or welders.

References

• Start Up Nation: Getting an Invention Prototype Built

Resources

• Thomas Register