Prof. Gates is credited with being the first to use the following idea
for guiding the constructive imagination in producing new ideas. He
has in the past few years used it so effectively that there are more
than one hundred articles now manufactured under the protection of
patents by the United States Government, and scores of others are being
perfected.
Make a list of all the things in the room, then select one object and
combine it with the rest of the list and see how many new ideas will
result. This is using the constructive imagination, creating a new
whole from familiar parts. Example--
Floor, table, ceiling, wall, window, glass, casing, frame, stove, pipe,
damper, oilcloth, cover, rug, boards, paint, plaster, paper, picture,
frame, bench, chair, couch, morris chair, curtain, rod, lace, book,
paper, magazine, Victrola, plant, flag, etc.
Select table, and by combining it with the other objects we will see
how some new combinations have been created, and perhaps we will create
some ourselves.
Table--wall, suggests a table disappearing into the wall, as used
in small apartments.
Table--oilcloth, a common article.
Table--cover, also common.
Table--rug, Oriental rugs are often used for table covers.
Table--boards, the extension dining table.
Table--chair, the combination used in dairy lunches.
Table--book, the library table.
Table--Victrola, a combination manufactured by the Columbia
Company.
Table--flag, suggests the flag as a table cover.
The longer the list the greater the possibility of finding some new
and useful idea. Business men use this idea constructively. Woolworth
combined the 5c and store, and made his fortune. Ingersol combined the
Dollar and Watch. A boat, paddles, and a steam engine resulted in the
first steamboat.
There is no limit to the illustration, it is everywhere apparent and in
many things that you use. Every new invention or short-cut in business
will result from a new combination of existing concepts. We are now
manufacturing alcohol from sawdust, rubber from wheat. When shall we
stop?
Play this game with the children. They will enjoy it and learn how
progress has been made and gain new and valuable ideas. An active lad
was confined to the house with a broken leg. His mother started him
playing this game and by its use he has discovered many new games. This
time it suggested kite--window, and soon, with the assistance of a
neighbor boy, he was flying his kite out of a window.