# Invention

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention/162001>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 17, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention/162001 "2003-03-17T15:18:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention/162001/1 "2003-03-17T15:18:19Z")

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How do I go about inventing something?

I have loads of ideas but no technical know how. I’ve also seen those adds in the back of magazines that cater to “inventors”, but I don’t trust them (should I?), based on a belief that they would “own” the item that I invented and I’d get the shaft.

Most of my ideas wouldn’t be hard to create (I think) but they are beyond my know how, as they deal with electronics and homing devices, etc.

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**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention/162001/2 "2003-03-17T15:30:11Z")

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Check out these threads first:

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79350](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79350)

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37549](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37549)

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37488](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37488)

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32093](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32093)

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=153427](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=153427)

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**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention/162001/3 "2003-03-17T15:38:24Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Meatros \*  
> Most of my ideas wouldn’t be hard to create (I think) but they are beyond my know how, as they deal with electronics and homing devices, etc.

Your best bet is to pair up with a trusted person who has the know-how to build your gadgets - split expected income with him at some agreed upon ratio.

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**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention/162001/4 "2003-03-17T15:40:43Z")

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BTW: A cursory look at the above threads will convince you it’s a hotly debated subject; there are those who believe in the patent process, and there are those who say you should run – not walk – from anything related to patent process. I’m in the latter camp.

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**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention/162001/5 "2003-03-17T15:56:45Z")

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Thanks!