Difference between Discovery and Invention
What is the difference between discovery and invention?
Discovery | Invention |
Discovery can be a result of research to find the existing things but you are the first one to discover those things.
Example: The magnet already existed but suddenly a scientist discovered that magnet can be used in storage devices. |
The invention is a result of research to find new things that are not existing before but you are the first one to invent those things.
Example: the invention of the cell phones, laptops, Email, DOS, Windows, fiber optic cable, routers, gateway, bridges, etc. |
Mostly, Discovery is the process of exploration of the things existing here and there.
Example: The magnet already existed but scientists explore “how a magnet can be used in the storage device?”. |
Mostly, The invention is the result of experimentation.
Example: After the invention of the PC, Many experiments were conducted to transform it into a smaller and enough shape called laptops. Finally, after millions of experiments, laptops are transformed into cell phones. |
In most cases, Discoveries are natural occurrences and are usually present until discovered by somebody.
Example: The magnet already existed in the mountains but magnetism was first discovered by a shepherd named Magnes. |
Inventions are man-made occurrences of objects and inventions exist due to the hard work and research of scientists.
Example: The first computer “windows” was invented by Bill Gates (Microsoft founder). |
A scientist cannot patent the Discovery.
Example: Magnes cant patent his discovery of magnets in mountains. |
A scientist can patent his invention.
Example: Magnetic storage devices are patent. For example, you can see the demo of the patent document. |
In most cases, scientists or some common person Discover things accidentally.
Example: The magnet already existed in the mountains and a shepherd named Magnes was not struggling of discovering the magnet but accidentally noticed that his shoes were sticking to the mountains. |
In most cases, scientific Inventions are the results of regular research and study by scientists.
Example: Regular research was conducted to utilize magnets in magnetic storage devices. |
Examples of discovery and inventions
Silicon was discovered by Jöns Jacob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist, but Italian physicist Federico Faggin invent the processor by using silicon chips.
Magnet was discovered by a Shephard “Magnes” but later scientists invent storages devices with magnets
Topic Covered:
What is discovery? | What are the examples of discovery? | What is an invention?
| What are the examples of inventions? | Comparison of discovery and inventions.