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Stuff Every Inventing Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Inventing merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Inventing Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

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Chapter 1: Statics and Forces

What is an invention?

Short answer: A unique or novel device, method, or process

An invention is something new and original, such as a device, method, composition, idea, or process.

Groan of the day: This quiz is quite an invention of mine.

Sources: Invention

What does a patent give its owner?

Short answer: A proprietary interest for a set period

A granted patent gives the owner a proprietary interest over a specific period of time.

Groan of the day: That patent has a lot of interest.

Sources: Invention

What does the patent system do for the economy?

Short answer: Helps capture benefits so investment happens

The patent system captures positive externalities so the economy invests an optimum amount in invention.

Groan of the day: Patents help the economy patent itself.

Sources: Invention

What is a cultural invention?

Short answer: An innovative set of useful social behaviors

Cultural invention is an innovative set of useful social behaviors adopted by people and passed on.

Groan of the day: Culture is a shared invention.

Sources: Invention

What is a co-inventor?

Short answer: Someone named on a patent with others

Collaborative creative processes are common, and co-inventors are frequently named on patents.

Groan of the day: Two heads are better than one patent.

Sources: Invention

What does India call a new invention?

Short answer: One not anticipated in prior art

In India, a new invention has not been anticipated in prior art or used anywhere in the world.

Groan of the day: That answer has no prior art.

Sources: Invention

What does an inventor do?

Short answer: Creates or discovers an invention

An inventor creates or discovers an invention, and the word comes from Latin for to find.

Groan of the day: Inventing is quite a find.

Sources: Invention

What is the main purpose of the patent system?

Short answer: To encourage inventors with limited-term rights

Patents were established to encourage inventors by granting a limited-term, limited monopoly on qualifying inventions.

Groan of the day: The inventor had a patent idea, but it was clearly a patent answer.

Sources: Invention

Why is getting a patent often costly?

Short answer: Rules vary by country and the process is expensive

Patent rules and requirements vary by country, and the process of obtaining a patent is often expensive.

Groan of the day: The patent process was expensive, so the inventor had to coin a phrase.

Sources: Invention

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • An invention is something new and original, such as a device, method, composition, idea, or process.
  • A granted patent gives the owner a proprietary interest over a specific period of time.
  • The word inventor comes from the Latin verb invenire, invent-, which means to find.
  • Inventing is linked to science and engineering, but inventors are not necessarily engineers or scientists.
  • A patent only provides rights within the country or countries where it was obtained.
  • A patent lets the owner exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing the invention.
  • Patents encourage inventors by granting limited rights on inventions that are novel, non-obvious, and useful.
  • Innovation is implementing a creative idea that leads to greater value or usefulness.
  • An invention may be useless or have no value and still count as an invention, unlike innovation.
  • Brainstorming can spark new ideas, and inventors also draw, model, experiment, and test.
  • The initial idea may become simpler, more practical, expand, or morph into something totally different.
  • The parachute became more useful once powered flight became a reality.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. What is an invention?
    • A unique or novel device, method, or process
    • A copy of an existing product
    • A natural object found in nature
    Show the answer

    A unique or novel device, method, or process. An invention is something new and original, such as a device, method, composition, idea, or process.

  2. What can happen to an initial invention idea during development?
    • It disappears forever
    • It may change or simplify
    • It must stay identical
    Show the answer

    It may change or simplify. The initial idea may become simpler, more practical, expand, or morph into something totally different.

  3. Which is an example of a scientific-technological invention?
    • The Olympic Games
    • The novel
    • Vaccination
    Show the answer

    Vaccination. Scientific-technological inventions include railroads, aviation, vaccination, antibiotics, computing, and the Internet.

  4. What is one pre-historic invention listed?
    • Fish hooks
    • Smartphones
    • The Internet
    Show the answer

    Fish hooks. Pre-historic inventions include bedding, clothing, hafting, agriculture, fish hooks, pottery, bread, flutes, and tally sticks.

  5. What is one practical way to test an invention idea?
    • Only daydream
    • Make models and experiment
    • Never test it
    Show the answer

    Make models and experiment. Ideas may be developed by making models, experimenting, testing, or building the whole invention.

Now make it stick

Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.

This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 3 are in the game for members.

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