According to a nationwide study of UK mums by The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair, a third claim the recession has played a part in the mounting number of ‘light bulb’ moments they’ve had, with one in six dreaming up new ideas every fortnight in a bid to put themselves in a better financial position.
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From shape memorising wool to wheelie bin covers, more than 28 per cent of mums are reacting to daily household problems, with 22 per cent finding their inspiration whilst spring cleaning. Meanwhile, 19 per cent are dreaming up big ideas in their sleep and one in six are thinking big in the bath tub.
But the research suggests their brainwaves are far from pipe dreams. Almost a quarter of mums are going back to basics and getting to grips with the science and technology principles behind their ideas, realising that a better knowledge in these fields will help fuel their success.
More than one in six are looking into or going through the patent process, and nearly one in ten has swatted up to created their own models or prototypes.
Mark Champkins, British Inventor and supporter of The Big Bang Fair said: “This research shows the recession has sparked a real ‘can do’ attitude amongst ordinary mums of all ages who are looking to make some extra cash – and it’s amazing to see that they are turning to science and engineering to make the impossible possible.
"Breakthroughs using science and technology hold the key to not only transforming individuals’ lives but the state of our country’s future economic growth," he added.
The research also suggests that mums’ big ideas could be rubbing off on today’s younger generation with a fifth of 11 to 18 year olds coming up with genius ideas and inventions inside the classroom. The last year alone has seen one in twenty looking into, or applying for, a patent.
Mums across the UK are being encouraged to inspire their children and teenagers to put their own ideas, discoveries and inventions to the test in the country’s most exciting contest – the National Science + Engineering Competition.
“With a chance to compete for top prizes worth over £50,000, it’s the perfect incentive to test, stretch and expand young minds; and that ‘light bulb moment’ could see them crowned ‘UK Young Engineer of the Year’ or ‘UK Young Scientist of the Year’,” said Mark.
TOP CELEBRITY INVENTIONS
Even A-listers at the height of their career, politicians and royals have taken time out, away from the public gaze, to dream up new ways to address the problems in their everyday lives.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis invented the Wet Wipe Nappy, which incorporates a sealed pocket on the outside that can be filled with cleaning wipes – eliminating the need to store, dispense and travel with two separately packaged items. As disposable nappies take hundreds of years to degrade in landfill, she is looking to collaborate with a company that uses environmental science to bring a biodegradable product to market.
Internationally renowned designer Orla Kiely created the world's first designer reusable water bottle - the "Wottle". Designed for refill, not landfill, it is made from recycled HDPE - High Density Polyethylene and is free from Bisphenol A. The Wottle was designed to be compact enough to fit in a handbag or gym bag as well as the cup holders in the gym - perfect for busy women's on-the-go lifestyle.
Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts worked closely with chemists to invent the Dainty Doll Make-up range for pale-skinned girls, perfecting natural formulations and colours as an alternative to layering on chemically-enriched foundations, while including an anti-inflammatory ingredient to reduce redness and swelling on the face.
Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher may have been the Iron Lady, but many people don’t know about her ‘softer’ side. Graduating in chemistry from Oxford University, Thatcher joined food manufacturer J. Lyons and Co. as a research chemist and invented Soft-Scoop ice cream, heralding the age of Mr Whippy ice-cream vans and the 99 flake.
MAKING BRIGHT IDEAS A REALITY
For all those budding Thomas Edisons or James Dysons out there, top British Inventor Mark Champkins has teamed up with The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair to give his tips for making bright ideas and inventions a reality:
Start with a good problem: There's no point in coming up with an invention or product that isn't useful. By identifying a good problem, that people would really like to see solved, you know you are in a fertile area, and if you come up with a solution, you'll not have wasted your time and effort. It helps if it is something you are passionate about too.
Get better at "Noticing": There is a real skill to noticing. Noticing how people behave, use products, what things are made of, how they are likely to have been made, and how well they work will open up all kinds of opportunities to improve things, and create better products.
Stay child-like: Kids are in the process of building up their knowledge of the world, and in seeing things, often for the first time, they are more likely to see the wonder in them. They also question the reason that things are the way they are, in a way that adults rarely do. Maintaining a questioning and open attitude is difficult, but useful in interrogating the way the world works and imagining new and better ways to do things.
Combine two previously unrelated things: Nothing is completely new. Most ideas have been founded on something that has gone before. However, there is a skill in being able to combine products or concepts in a new way that achieves something unique. Products and solutions that have developed in one area or industry might provide a much better solution to a problem faced in an unrelated area, if only someone could make a connection.
Play: Creating new things should be fun. Feeling relaxed, energised and free to mess about and try out new ideas is key to being in the right state of mind for inspiration to strike.