They say that necessity is the mother of invention. I guess that is true. Think of Eli Whitney’s cotton gin (combat the labor intense hand picking of cotton); James Watt’s steam engine (to pump water out of Britain’s coal mines) or WWII’s Manhattan project (USA’s determination to build an atomic bomb before Nazi Germany).

I read that inventions are created by individuals who are curious or just like to tinker. Their new innovation may or may not be a perceived need by society. Sometimes it becomes needed. Other times it becomes needed in a way unintended by the inventor. Such was the case with Thomas Edison’s phonograph. When he originally developed it, he thought of ways it might be helpful: preserve the dying words of an individual, teach spelling, announce the time, recording books for the blind to hear. He did not foresee the use for recording music. He thought that recording music would take away the seriousness of his invention and was very slow adopting its use in that way. *

I am wondering about the innovations that will arise from these times. What intended and unintended consequences and therefore innovations will this pandemic bring? Already it is amazing to see the creativity of individuals and organizations: The network of universities with 3-D printers, all producing parts for face shields for health care workers. The refitting of manufacturing plants for ventilators, face masks and other PPE. Even the cottage industry of people making their own face masks- using vacuum HEPA or coffee filters, t-shirts, pillowcases.

Correctional facilities are making face shields, masks and gowns instead of license plates, furniture and flags. A sporting manufacturer is making face masks and gowns. There’s the college student who is making lip-readable face masks (clear panel over the mouth) so that lip reading deaf individuals can understand. The list can go on and on… It seems as if there is no end to what humankind can invent and create.

Part of the beauty is the openness to possibilities that innovation brings. To be open, one has to be open to success and failure. To be willing to “give it a go” whatever the outcome. To be willing to try.

Thomas Edison once said, “genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.” Sure, we can be innovative and create some new ideas and technology but there is a lot of time, sweat and energy that passes before that might be so.

Makes me wonder how much I may/may not have the innovator’s spirit? Am I willing to try? “Give it a go”? Am I willing to put in the “sweat equity”? Are we as a society also willing to do that?

Innovation also requires some type of sacrifice. Whether it is in precious resources for the new innovation- both physical and in people power, or time spent ( and therefore not spent in other areas).

Am I willing to think of alternatives to situations-whether my own, my families, friends or community?

What about you? Has any necessity in your life brought about innovation in your life? What does/did that look like? Are you open to possibilities? Why or why not?

• Click here to read more about Thomas Edison. It appears the Mr. Edison wasn’t the first to invent the phonograph.