Cultivating Wonder: How Childlike Curiosity Sparks Innovation (Part 2)

Children see the world through fresh eyes, experiencing each new discovery with awe. They’re wired for exploration, constantly asking “Wouldn’t it be cool if…?” In this episode of Innovation Café, Gary Shuster explains how embracing a child’s sense of wonder can re-energize our creative drive—even in adulthood.

Why Children Are Natural Innovators

Endless Firsts: Kids do something new nearly every day. That sense of exploration powers their creativity.
Infinite Uses for a Hammer: Adults may see a hammer as a single-use tool, but a child sees a bug basher, a magnet tester, a hole probe, and more.
Ignorance of Limits: They aren’t weighed down by “it can’t be done.” Instead, they ask “how else can this be used?”—often leading to novel solutions.

Adults Become “Acclimated”

Over time, we start to take everyday miracles for granted:

Light Bulbs as Artificial Suns: Flipping a switch at 3 a.m. becomes routine. We forget how astonishing it is to conjure daylight at will.
Smartphones as Magic: We can read news from London, call Tokyo, and text Sydney—all on the same device. Yet we complain if the video stream isn’t instantly perfect.
Window Transparency: Gazing out a window feels ordinary, yet glass is a truly incredible invention—solid material that we can see through.

In short, we become jaded by the very marvels once worthy of wonder.

The “Wouldn’t It Be Cool If…” Mindset

Breakthrough inventions often begin with one question: Wouldn’t it be cool if we could…? For children, that question never stops. They’ll follow it anywhere. Adults, however, often lose that spark. Regaining it starts with remembering how extraordinary our world truly is.

Reflect on Everyday Miracles
- Think back to the first time you read a word or flew on a plane. Recall the amazement you felt.
Play and Experiment
- Even something as simple as sketching with crayons can reignite your creative side.
Stay Curious, Stay Safe
- It’s wise to heed safety warnings, but don’t let “you can’t” shut down your creativity. Adopt the phrase “Trust, but verify.”

From Wonder to IP Protection

Your childlike observations can fuel genuine innovation—often leading to breakthroughs eligible for patent protection under U.S. (and global) intellectual property law. Historically, many top inventions emerged when someone questioned assumptions or saw a new use for existing technology. That’s why reconnecting with your inner child doesn’t just enrich your life—it can also open the door to entirely new patents and products.

Final Thoughts

Humans are born explorers. We’re all equipped with the innate creativity kids wield so effortlessly; the challenge is learning how to keep it alive. Remember the joy you felt discovering something new. Let that sense of wonder power your adult expertise, and you’ll be on the path to truly original ideas and inventions.

This is Gary Shuster, your friendly neighborhood inventor. Thanks for watching Innovation Café!