Ideas worth spreading

Invention

A collection of TED Talks (and more) on the topic of Invention.

Video playlists about Invention

How innovation changes the world

The big and small ways invention and transformation can bring about new eras of inspired action, thought and change. (Curated in partnership with Project Management Institute.)

Talks to inspire projects with kids

These crafty talks will ignite passions, pique interests and introduce kids to the excitement of hands-on learning.

Young inventors who are changing how we stay healthy

These speakers — all under 21 when they gave their talks — have big ideas for our health. Meet young people who are taking on cancer, asthma, injuries, even Alzheimer’s with a bold new approach.

Innovations that made expensive things cheap

A microscope that costs less than $1. A post-natal incubator for $25. These TED Talks highlight exciting innovations that render formerly-expensive things affordable — whether it’s to save you money, or to save lives.

See all playlists on Invention

Talks about Invention

How going to Mars improves life on Earth

Yes, scientists are actually building an elevator to space

Daniel Sperling and Gil Tal

The surprisingly long history of electric cars

What is MSG, and is it actually bad for you?

Francis de los Reyes

A brief history of toilets

How NASA invented a ventilator for COVID-19 ... in 37 days

Why good ideas get trapped in the valley of death -- and how to rescue them

Jacques S. Abramowicz

How does ultrasound work?

The electrical blueprints that orchestrate life

How much land does it take to power the world?

Briana Brownell

How does artificial intelligence learn?

How much electricity does it take to power the world?

The material that could change the world ... for a third time

The world's biggest battery looks nothing like a battery

Could we harness the power of a black hole?

Soraya Field Fiorio

The rise and fall of history's first empire

See all talks on Invention

Exclusive articles about Invention

How to solve problems, from an inventor with 200+ patents

Robert Fischell invented the rechargeable pacemaker and the implantable insulin pump -- not to mention created the precursor to GPS. The 87-year-old shares a peek into his creative process.

Posted Sep 2016

A promising way to grow body parts … using an apple

Biohacker Andrew Pelling has figured out a way to create living, functional biological objects that don’t exist in nature -- without deliberately modifying DNA in any way. In one experiment, he uses apples and human cells to make ears. But what? And how? And why? Read on.

Posted Feb 2016

The surprising stories behind clever inventions

What drives invention? Sometimes, it’s back pain. Here's how to prime your own creativity to make something new.

Posted Feb 2016

See all articles on Invention