Discovering the Next Invention from Life and Data!

Most inventions come from unexpected discoveries—sounds, objects, or previous inventions that, when connected in surprising ways, may just hold the answers to pressing challenges. With the development of the digital age, data is increasingly accessible, providing more chances for those lightbulb moments, depending on how we connect and utilize it. Let’s delve into the following two stories to see how inventors break free from conventional thinking, seize inspiration, and effectively use data for the benefit of society!

Breaking Out of Conventional Frames — Inventions are All Around Us

Hedy Lamarr was an actress who loved to observe the world around her and invent. Her first husband was an arms dealer, which gave her some insights into military matters. During World War II, Hedy met composer George Antheil at a party, and they both wanted to contribute to the war effort against the Axis powers. At that time, the radio waves used by the U.S. to launch torpedoes were frequently disrupted by enemy interference. Hedy boldly proposed the concept of "frequency hopping," which involved transmitting radio waves across multiple frequencies—similar to changing lanes while driving to avoid traffic. But how could the receiving end catch these hopping frequencies? In their conversation, they realized that using the principle of a piano roll could synchronize all the frequencies at both ends. This invention, known as "spread spectrum technology," laid the groundwork for today’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies. Inspiration is often hidden in the details of everyday life; if you can break free from conventional thinking and try unexpected approaches to problems, creative ideas or inventions might just be right in front of you.

Utilizing Data — New Uses for Old Drugs

Atul Butte is a biomedical scientist and a leader at the American Institute for Computational Health Sciences. His team collected a vast amount of medical and health data in 2002 to study the effects of a new drug on blood pressure. After the research, Dr. Butte was reluctant to waste such a large dataset, so he sifted through it to find new uses for existing drugs. Ultimately, the team discovered through algorithms that a medication used for depression since the 1950s could actually help shrink lung cancer tumors. In our rapidly evolving age of AI and big data, while we continuously gather vast amounts of information, let’s not forget to flexibly utilize existing data. By thinking outside the box, you too can contribute to "reinventing" products and finding new applications!

Learning and solving problems often involve relentless absorption of information. If you can carefully observe the little things around you, apply what you’ve learned, and occasionally consult big data, the next invention might be right in front of you. Although Hedy, George, and Dr. Butte come from different eras, they all managed to transcend the limitations of their times, connecting seemingly unrelated concepts and ultimately taking significant steps toward changing the world. Terms like "global warming," "extreme weather," and "emission reduction" are likely familiar to you from class; have you considered that creativity and big data might be new pathways to address the climate crisis? Sign up for the "Master Code 2022/23: Envisage the Climate Blueprint with AI," turn your ideas into inventions, and use programming to help build a sustainable future for humanity!