Everything that can be invented has been invented

You might know this famous quote attributed to the commissioner of the united states patent office, Charles Holland Duell. However, these are not the exact words used by the inventor in 1902. In fact he said this:

"In my opinion, all previous advances in the various avenues of invention will seem utterly insignificant compared to those which the present century will witness. I almost wish I could live my life over again to see the wonders that are on the threshold."

And he was not totally wrong, we are all witnesses of the wonders that the 20th century has produced: The television, the microwave oven, the contraceptive pill, the cell phone, or the inevitable star INTERNET.

The Charles Holland apocrypha now demystified, one must still ask the question, has everything that can be invented been invented? Henry Ellsworth, another commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office, seems to think that there will come a time when this will be the case. He states: "The advancement of the arts, year by year, tests our credulity and seems to presage the arrival of that period when human improvement must come to an end".

A world without creativity and innovation?

Are we heading inevitably towards a static world? NO, I don’t think so. Over the centuries, human beings have been able to demonstrate creativity and innovation. I mentioned above the extraordinary innovations that were born during the 20th century, the 19th century however had its share of creativity such as photography and the battery, so is the 18th century with its own share of inventions and so on .... The 21st century is no exception to the rule. Optogenetics, a technique that consists in genetically modifying cells to make them sensitive to light in order to activate or block their activity by lighting them, was born in 2005. The conquest of space continues with space X. Facebook, Instagram etc. were born and became an important part of our daily life. Yet a whole new world needs to be invented. Will we be able to invent flying cars, will diseases such as diabetes or lupus have an effective treatment? Will we be able to travel to Mars?

Creativity: a continuity ...

Creativity is currently one of the most demanded skill, whether it's to find a new job or in life in general, you have to be creative. However, in an ever-changing and competitive world, being creative and innovative can be problematic, as you can't reinvent the wheel. Instead, creativity can be a continuity. Television would not have been born without electricity; the smartphone would never have been invented without the presence of the phone itself. Moreover, most of the new technologies and inventions in addition to answering a need, have sometimes created new needs, and, or problems that need to be solved by the invention of new revolutionary solutions. So we find ourselves in a vicious circle.

Get Creative with Social Media:

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and it's more important than ever to stand out in the sea of content that floods our feeds every day. That's where creativity comes in. Whether you're a blogger, influencer, or just someone who likes to post about their life, being creative can make all the difference in how your content is received and engaged with by your audience.

1. Keep up with the trends: One way to stay creative is to keep up with the latest trends and adapt them to your brand. For example, if there's a popular dance challenge going around, why not create your own version featuring your products? This not only shows that you're up-to-date, but it also helps to create a sense of relatability with your audience.

2. Play with different formats: Don't be afraid to switch things up and experiment with different formats. For example, instead of always posting photos, why not try a video or a boomerang? Or, you could create a series of graphics to showcase different aspects of your brand. By trying out new formats, you'll keep your content fresh and interesting.

3. Use humor and personality: Injecting humor and personality into your posts is a great way to show off your creativity. Try using puns, memes, or witty captions to keep your followers engaged.

4. Collaborate with others: Collaboration is a great way to spark creativity and bring fresh perspectives to your content. Reach out to other creatives, influencers, or even your followers, and work together to create something unique. For example, a fashion blogger could collaborate with a makeup artist to create a lookbook featuring both fashion and beauty.

5. Tell a story: People love stories, so use your social media to tell your brand's story. This could be through a series of photos or videos showcasing the evolution of your brand, or even through a longer-form caption that shares a personal anecdote. By telling a story, you'll create a deeper connection with your audience.

In a nutshell, Charles Holland Duell was kind of right. However, it is only in the past that everything needed to be invented. The inventions of the past centuries are phenomenal, making the small inventions of the present day often unnoticed. But we live in an era where the inventions of the past have given us access to an astounding amount of information and resources. Phenomenal inventions take a little longer than in the past, but once they happen, they will open the door to a whole new world. To address the world's most pressing issues, such as the climate crisis, poverty, and inequalities, creativity and innovation are required. As we celebrate 2023 World Creativity Day, let's now more than ever innovate in all our undertakings.