Essay Topics

  • Why would anyone want to be an inventor?

  • Do people plan to be inventors?

  • Is necessity really the mother of invention?

  • How do people treat inventors?

  • Find out about famous African-American inventors. Famous Hispanic inventors. Famous Asian-American inventors.

  • In 100 words or less, describe the best way for you to become an inventor.

  • Why is it necessary to patent your inventions?

  • What century do you think has been the most important for inventions?

  • What invention has had the most effect on your life?

  • Cloning - is it an invention?

  • What are some ethical or moral questions an inventor might face today? 20 years ago? 200 years ago? 100 years in the future?

  • How much influence, both in regulating and funding, does the government have on inventions today?

  • Where do inventors find funding to pursue their work?

  • Why do you think certain inventions are embraced so readily at one time, but not at others. (For example, the hula hoop was popular in the 1950's, but rare in the 1990's.)

  • Are inventors respected more before or after they have a successful invention?

  • What kind of education do you think you need to become an inventor?

  • To be an inventor, do you have to actually make the invention, or can you just come up with the idea?