The Logic of Invention

This essay explores the process by which radically novel technologies—ones such as radar, the turbojet, or the polymerase chain reaction—come into being. It shows that this process of “invention” (or origination, as I prefer to call it) has a certain logical structure common to all cases. Origination is a process of linking some purpose or need with an effect that can be exploited to satisfy it. It may begin with a purpose or need for which existing methods are not satisfactory; this forces the seeking of a new principle (the idea of an effect in action). Or it may begin with a phenomenon or effect itself—usually a freshly discovered one—for which some associated principle of use suggests itself. Either way, translating this base principle into physical reality requires the creation of suitable working parts and supporting technologies. These raise their own challenges or problems, the solution of which may raise further challenges. As a result, origination is a recursive process: it repeats until each challenge or problem (and subproblem, and sub-subproblem) resolves itself into one that can be physically dealt with. Origination is a process of recursive problem solving. It is not indeterminable and it requires no special powers. It is challenging, usually lengthy, part-conceptual and part-experimental. I argue that the logical structure I describe extends to origination in science or mathematics.