INVENTIONS THROUGH PLAY - play creates innovation and learning

Inventions through play: From toys to life-changing innovations

Have you ever wondered how some of the world's most crucial inventions came about? The idea that play, imagination, and creativity can create groundbreaking discoveries is both fascinating and inspiring. In fact, history shows that many inventions we take for granted today can be traced back to a playful approach.

Were the bow and arrow invented through play?

One of the most intriguing considerations is found in Rane Willerslev's book "A Story of Man - Homo sapiens and the Meaning of Life" . It is suggested that the bow probably originated as a plaything - a string strung on a stick that could make a funny sound. Over time, it developed into a tool that could be used for hunting and war.

⚡ BUPL describes more about the book in this article: Rane Willerslev: We are created to play .

Was the computer invented through play?

Perhaps! Charles Babbage, often referred to as the “father of computers,” was inspired by mechanical inventions as a child. He visited John Joseph Merlin’s shop in what was then London, known as Merlin’s Mechanical Museum . Here he was exposed to:

🕰️ Mechanical inventions
🦿 Robots
🕜 Watches
🎵 Musical instruments

These experiences, combined with his mathematical curiosity, may have paved the way for his work on automatic computers. Interestingly, Merlin is also credited with inventing the roller skate.

Playfulness: The Key to Creative Discovery

Play gives us the freedom to experiment without fear of failure. According to Helle Marie Skovbjerg, Denmark's first play professor, we develop "play courage" when we dare to experiment in play. This courage to try something new, without worrying about the outcome, is crucial for both children and adults.

✨ Helle Marie Skovbjerg elaborates on the concept in this article: Every time you play, you become a little braver .

Mistakes are part of the process

In innovation, we often talk about the principle of “fail fast.” It's about quickly discovering what doesn't work so you can fix it and move on.

Real-world examples include:

🌐 James Dyson made over 5,000 prototypes before creating his world-famous vacuum cleaner.
🚀 SpaceX uses repeated trial and error to improve their rockets.

But is fail-fast really the "adult" version of playfulness? For children, it's natural to try, fail, and try again. The same fearlessness and openness to learning from your mistakes is necessary to create something new as an adult.

Wooden construction sets: Where play meets learning

A wooden construction set gives children the freedom to experiment without set rules. They may start with a simple idea, but often the play develops into something that surprises everyone.

🤖 Build a robot
🌋 Create a bridge
🎨 Let your imagination fly free

Wooden building sets and construction toys teach children that there are no wrong ways to build. This is where free imagination and learning merge.

Einstein: Champion of Imagination

To put the big picture in perspective, one could perhaps attribute the theory of relativity to having been invented through play, based on Einstein's enthusiasm for play and creativity. Einstein himself said:

✨ “Imagination is more important than knowledge, because knowledge is limited, while imagination embraces the world.”

🔬 Einstein considered his research a kind of play, where he asked creative questions rather than simply looking for answers.
🌎 His playful approach reminds us that great discoveries begin with bold experiments.

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Play is more than just a pastime. It is a key to innovation, learning, and the courage to think big. From bows and arrows to wooden construction sets – and perhaps even the theory of relativity – history shows that the greatest ideas often begin as playful experiments.

Best regards

Jesper, WoodMee®