Inventing Small Products

by Stanley I. Mason and Scala Publishers

Book Overview

In addition to outlining how to become a professional inventor, Stanley demonstrates, through the use of examples, how to focus on two keys to the process-- inventing things that change, and improve... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560524367
• ISBN13: 9781560524366
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Crisp Learning
• Length: 94 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Lots of practical advice from someone who's done it

I agree with much of what the other reviews have said so far: on the plusses and minuses. But watch out, it contains some real important advice not found in other books. This was particularly true in the area of finding the areas and products that need to be improved first, not inventing for your own ego and the creative process he uses for inventing.The author teaches entrepreneurship and has a company that invents new products. He's been at it for quite some time and has a string of successes. So, he's qualified to speak.His book is organized in thirds. First, there is the overall introduction and summary of his process. This was excellent. Then he goes through a series of his inventions and uses them to illustrate the various ways that products can be invented. This was great too, but a fair number, maybe a third, of the examples didn't seem to prove a point. Also, this is where other reviewers fell out of interest with the book and claimed the author was tooting his horn. I didn't get that feeling, but did feel that some of the stories didn't add value to the book.Third, there is some really great information on creativity that he summarized from his classes and there is some great biases of his that he presents as practical advice. The creativity information was a little cryptic. But if you have read other invention books, the information really came to life.For example, here's a partial quote that I underlined:"In creative problem solving, begin by assessing the problem before labeling it. Use a system - a series of proven steps. Here's a five-step system: 1) Assess the situation. Ask questions. Ask them endlessly. Answers will sugest new questions. Be intelligently ignorant. Gather facts relentlessly. But consider 'facts' opinions, until rigorously tested. Search for the key factor. In almost every situation one particular fact will turn out to be more important than any other... 2)," etc.Notice that he lays out 5 steps for you to follow; I only quoted one of them. These are not the only five. He has lots of steps, some of them on the same subject... but following different paths. Also notice that some of the information appear as platitudes ("Be intelligently ignorant."), but these often summarize previously material in the book. And finally, considering facts to be opinions is an important point that I did not properly recognize. On this he also said: "What 'everybody knows to be true' probably isn't." This led me to ponder that maybe I should search for what is falsely held to be true about a product area, and try to develop products/services resulting from it. As an example, Compaq falsely held that selling through retail stores was better than selling direct through the phone and internet. Dell proved them wrong. At Compaq this was an opinion parading as a fact and it was sitting there for over 2 years, waiting for someone to exploit it.As a Connecticutt Yankee inventor, the author is parsimonious with hi

Invaluable Nuggets of Wisdom Hidden Within

Stan's book is really a superb example of how he has used his life experiences in creating, marketing and licensing successful products. I believe this book has invaluable nuggets of wisdom hidden within. It's true that maybe one of Stan's advantages is that he came from a corporate background and knew the corporate protocol and lingo. But the truth that Stan's experience shows in this book, is that in addition to having a good marketable idea, it still took persistence, tenacity, and knocking on a lot of doors to achieve his phenomenal success.My personal experience with Stan, knowing him for many years as our Keynote Speaker at the annual Invention Convention®, is of his popular seminar with packed audiences, and having to postpone the next speaker so he could finish answering questions.Stanley has been in the big leagues of inventing for more than 20 years, but what most people don't know is that Stan's successful inventing career started at an age when most people are thinking about retiring [55], and also after experiencing what most people would consider a devastating circumstance, especially at that age...he was fired. He showed up for work one day and learned that there was no more job. Literally overnight, he went from working in a large corporation to being a professional inventor. A remarkable accomplishment. It's no wonder Inc. Magazine honored him as "Entrepreneur of the Year" on its cover and he's known as the "Wizard of Inventing" throughout the world. I have to give this book about Stan's success methodologies a well-deserved 5-star rating. I highly recommend it. P.S. The only thing I didn't like about the book was the cover - that's not Stan!

Excellent tips on creative thinking

Mason is a consumate inventor - he created the first shaped disposable diaper, the granola bar and other useful everyday products - whose easy-to-read book is brimming with tips on creativity. I am a strategic marketing consultant, and I have used Stanley's ideas to generate out-of-the-box thinking in planning sessions. Well worth the price!

Great Book with Common Sense Advice on Inventing

This book gave me a new perspective on many different ways to get an idea to market. Mr. Mason's methods are based on good ole fashioned common sense. He has many success stories which make the book very enjoyable.

a good read from a prominent, successful inventor

The author, an inventor of many prominent products, nicely illustrates the process of inventing with an eye towards selling/licensing, as opposed to inventing in the abstract. Its a small book, only about 100 pages - I wish it was 500!