Crackpot or Genius?: A Complete Guide to the Uncommon Art of Inventing

The art of inventing is two-fold. To be successful, inventors must be truly innovative and know how to turn a worthy invention into a welcome product. This book teaches how to achieve both of these goals, one a matter of developing talent, the other a matter of learning about the legal and commercial aspects of the trade. Both philosophical and practical, Crackpot or Genius? shares enlightening anecdotes and profiles famous and not-so-famous inventors as it discusses the process of inventing.
Includes basic physics, creativity, serendipity and perseverance, liability, how to raise an inventive child, amazing toy inventions, inventor groups, how to set up a workshop, how to keep a notebook, patents, selling an invention, and invention contracts.

Reynolds' guide to the invention and patenting process reflects practical experience. His focus, derived from his background as an engineer and inventor, is technical, but his intellectual puzzles are intriguing, and he has good advice for all inventors, young or old. Reynolds draws from his classroom lectures, and so at times his book lacks continuity, containing anecdotes or information that is not essential to becoming an inventor. Still, far more useful information appears here than in the many guides that ignore just how tricky the patent process is or what exactly is "inventive" enough to merit patenting and production these days. Denise Perry Donavin