Multiple Invention: It's Way More Common Than You Think
2025-06-05
A study of 190 major inventions between 1800 and 1970 reveals that multiple invention—where the same invention is independently created by multiple individuals—is surprisingly common. Over half of the inventions examined involved multiple attempts, and nearly 40% had multiple successful or near-successful versions. This suggests that many inventions weren't unique strokes of genius, but rather stemmed from a confluence of readily available technologies, materials, and capabilities, combined with a shared focus on significant problems. This challenges the 'Great Man' theory of invention, suggesting that technological progress is more a product of broad historical forces.