Tools & Toys : IPOD a Go-Go

August 2004 | IEEE Spectrum | NA 49 teresting developments can be a rich source of ideas. For example, I was excited when I first encountered the helpful digital displays in Hong Kong’s subway; these are now finding their way into Western transit systems. Even if a development isn’t directly applicable to your problem, you may glean some novel and feasible concepts. And when you encounter a new technology, ask yourself: “How will this change my ability to solve this problem, do this better, or seize an opportunity?” In addition to boosting your own creativity, you can also encourage others to welcome new ideas—or at least not stifle them. We all know the engineer who, when pitched a new idea, instinctively rattles off all the reasons it won’t work—“We tried that before and it failed.” Maybe you do a little of that yourself; I know I sometimes do. The reasons may reflect legitimate issues, a desire to stick with the status quo, or the prideful “not invented here” mentality. Unfortunately, these reasons serve as an excuse for not seriously considering the suggestion. So the next time you’re presented with an idea that at first blush sounds outlandish or impractical, try one of these responses: “What made you think of that?” or “What are you trying to accomplish by doing that?” You’ll get the person to explain how he or she arrived at the idea, and determine if the thinking process was sound. The person, in turn, will feel encouraged, and the discussion that ensues may even lead to other ideas. With some simple steps like these, we engineers can become more creative and work to develop fresh ideas for improving the products we design and build.