• Question: Do you ever come up with your own crazy ideas for inventions when you are working?

    Asked by DG to Laura, Chris, Gina, Jack, Tom, Yetty on 9 Jun 2017.
    • Photo: Jack Irwin

      Jack Irwin answered on 9 Jun 2017:

      Yes all the time but then once I have talked it through with someone there is usually a reason why it has not been invented

    • Photo: Tom Rooney

      Tom Rooney answered on 9 Jun 2017:

      Yes. For example, I invented a device that enables you to take pictures of yourself using your own smart phone at a distance greater than arms length. The trouble is someone else had already come up the same idea… that pesky “selfie stick”! 🙂

    • Photo: Christopher Bullock

      Christopher Bullock answered on 10 Jun 2017:

      I’m very lucky in that this basically is my job. As an academic, I don’t work for a company and it means there is no pressure for us to try and make money from our work (although this is possible). I have the freedom to test out my ideas, whatever they are.

      I find myself all the time having to design small pieces of equipment that solve problems that probably only I face (for completing which ever experiment I am trying to do at that time).

    • Photo: Laura Walker

      Laura Walker answered on 12 Jun 2017:

      I think I do this more at home then when at work. At work there is ususally someone there to tell me it a crazy idea. At home I like to give it a go – and usually watch it fail!

    • Photo: Yetunde Kolawole

      Yetunde Kolawole answered on 12 Jun 2017:

      Hi DG,

      Yes! I get ideas at odd times- when I’m cleaning my flat or cooking! and I write them down and come to talk with someone about them (Usually my supervisor) sometimes, he approves, sometimes he politely tells me it’s crazy.

      Yetty

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