Many inventors have a hard time simply beginning their invention process. There are many examples, however, of inventors who have successfully navigated the process of inventing a product, proving that it doesn’t have to take years to develop and market a great new idea.
The inventor of high end travel speakers for the iPhone is a good example. He was not able to find speakers that met his needs for clear, crisp and loud audio on the road, so he decided to invent his own in 2009.
He was able to build a small speaker which delivered amplified bass filling audio, and it can connect to any 3.5 mm audio jack. Of course, his background in product development obviously helped. He knew from experience that the best inventions come directly from practical, real world applications. The first step he engaged in was intensive market research to determine the need for his idea.
If you can determine from market research that the potential market for your invention exists, then the next step in the invention process is to keep a journal. You can use this to jot down notes on your idea and make detailed sketches of it.
You should try to show it from different angles and in as much detail as possible, because the journal could be used to prove you are the original inventor. Therefore, you should be sure to always sign and date your journal entries.
The next step is to create a working prototype of your invention, which can be used to demonstrate how your invention functions. This can also help you to figure out how you will construct the product on a large scale and work out any bugs. It helps to think about what kinds of materials, shapes and parts are best suited to factory production.