You may have heard "the mother of invention is necessity" or even "the father of invention is laziness". Well, I like to think that invention has a cool uncle. It is when inventing is about the passion of the hunt. Finding inspiration and then having fun fabricating something you've never seen before.

We all have good ideas. Many of us have even said "I thought of that" while watching a commercial or seeing a product on a shelf. So to help you get started with your next good idea, I kept a diary for what I did to come to my latest invention. Whenever I thought about it I pulled out my phone and added a few lines to the notepad. Hope you like it. Brent

This is currently being funded on Kickstarter if you want to check it out.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/699604098/flickshot-a-trigger-released-slingshot

January 19th, 2016

Last week I saw the posting for a new contest on instructables. The prize, a laser cutter. I want one. So here's the plan. Inspire others by showing them how they can profit from a laser cutter. Hopefully, I make an instructable good enough to win grand prize or, invent something profitable enough to pay for one. (I never did enter the contest with with this)

Step 1: How to Invent Something

January 20th, 2016

Where to start. I know this much. Whatever I invent is going to be a metal object. It should be something that people want to come into contact with. Maybe if I list all the items someone regularly touches I'll come up with something.

Here is a list of some of those items starting from the time I wake up.

bed
blanket
pillow
carpet
door knob
tooth brush
toilet seat handle
toothbrush
toothpaste
faucet
t shirt
jeans
socks
shoes
shoelaces
cup
spoon
bowl
keys
car handle
pencil
paper
door handle
backpack
book
remote control

I'll keep these things in mind. Maybe something will come to me.

Step 2: Look at What You've Already Done

January 29th, 2016

Every project has given me a little more experience. Not every one has been a big hit for me. However, I always have traces of what I've learned with each new thing I make. It's just like anything else. If you want to be good at baseball, then you have to play baseball. If you want to be good at creating, then create something.

I'm at a stand still though. Ideas just aren't coming to me right now. I guess it's time to find some inspiration.

Step 3: Look for Inspiration

February 8th, 2016

I went to the library today. I got a couple books on inventions. One about accidental inventions and the other about the hundred most important inventions. While reading them I learned about a fairy tale which invented the word "serendipity". The tale is called ‘The Three Princes of Serendip’. It's about how three princes locate a lost camel through luck and good fortune. I guess you can call it accidental genius.

I have to find some "accidental genius" so as I go about my day I'll take pictures of things that look interesting to me. Maybe they could be something that makes a connection in my brain.

Step 4: Start Designing

February 10th, 2016

I found this picture of a scientist handling a radioactive jar. I really like the idea of making a mechanical hand. I'm going to try and recreate the human hand, just out of metal. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. Off to AutoCad.

I took pictures of my hand against the computer screen and then traced over it in AutoCad. After I had something I cut it out of paper and used thumb tacks for the hardware at the joints. I wasn't very impressed. Still, I went to garage to see if I could make something out of metal. Still not impressed.

Step 5: Keep an Idea Book

March 2nd, 2016

I struck out in the garage. Time to look at my idea book. It just a notebook where I doodle different ideas. Sometimes they turn right into a project or they may sit there for a few years. I looked at a page tonight that had a list of ideas from when I was using paracord a lot. That was 3 years ago. But what's this?!? Hmmm..... A trigger released rock sling. That could be fun. Back to AutoCad.

Step 6: Back to the Drawing Board

March 7th, 2016

When I was a kid I found a shopping cart in a ravine. It was all rusted up and the wheels were missing. There was a quick release strap for buckling in a child. I took it off. I pinched the quick release buckle between my thumb and forefinger and used the strap as a rock sling. I would release the throw through the quick release.

How can I include a quick release into a rock sling? A trigger is the obvious solution. But with a trigger I need some sort of grip. I'll start with the grip and work my way out.

I got it done. Enough for tonight. Now time to sit by the mailbox for the parts.

Step 7: Make a True Prototype

April 22nd, 2016

I got my part in today! So cool to see lines on a computer screen turn into something you can hold in your hand. I have to tumble everything, tap threads into the right parts, and find hardware.

Now that it's done lets test it out.

Step 8: Invention Complete

May 1st, 2016

This project was another one for experience. It helped me with designing parts that interact with one another, using springs, and simple leather work. I'll keep it all in mind and see what I come up with next.

Thanks for reading,

Brent