Inventing is fun and exciting and everyone can be an inventor. An inventor is someone who thinks of new ways to solve problems in the home, community, or even the world. These solutions are called inventions. An invention may be a new product or a new way of doing things. Inventions come about in many ways. Most of the time, inventions happen because someone works to solve a problem. Sometimes inventions are the result of accidents. No matter how an invention is created it is important to keep careful records and document the invention process.

There are a few simple steps to follow in the invention process. This checklist may help an inventor stay on track.

• Keep a log. All inventors keep a log to record their work and their ideas. Keeping a log will prove that you had an idea first, and it wlil help you plan your invention.
• Use your imagination. Think wild and crazy thoughts. Remember that no idea is too silly. Many laughed at the Wright brothers and said that man would never fly. Good thing the Wright brothers didn't get discouraged.
• Look for problems that need solving. Look around you to find things that bug you because they don't work well or for things that would make life easier or better.
• Plan and design your invention. Careful design is important in the invention process. This is the time to brainstorm for ideas and to evaluate them.
• Research your invention to make sure that it has not already been invented and that it will work.
• Draw your invention. Make a detailed drawing of your invention so others will understand how your invention works.
• Make a model of your invention.
• Test your invention. If you have a working model, test it to see if it works as planned. If not, do more research, redesign it, and test it again. This procedure is an iterative process.
• Name your invention. Every invention needs a name.
• Patent your invention. If you think your invention is one that others would want, contact the U. S. Patent Office.
• Share your inventions with others.

One way Ted could have checked to see if Barkley had invented the stink-o-saurus would have been to ask to see his inventor's log. Inventors know that it's important to document all of their ideas and work.