Whether you’re looking to quickly jot down an idea, find inspiration for new ideas or learn more about what’s happening in the invention world today — there’s an app for it!

We’ve scoured the app store to find must-have inventor apps.  Without question, our favorite is Davison’s Inventionland app, which, just like America’s largest invention factory, inspires creators to dream and pursue their ideas!

For your viewing pleasure, here are 10 more top invention apps:

Get Inspired

IDEO Method Cards — Developed by IDEO, a top product design and development firms, this app includes 51 cards that help inspire design and creativity.

FitMind Creative Thinking — Exercising your mind is simple with this app!  It includes multiple programs that simulate frequencies, allowing your mind to relax and engage in creative thinking.

Organize Your Ideas

Evernote — With this app, you can document your ideas by writing notes, snapping photos or recording voice memos.  Remembering your idea has never been easier!

Idea Sketch — Have a more complex idea?  This app allows you to diagram your idea by organizing your thoughts into a color-coded mind map, concept map or flow chart.

Sketch it Out

ZeptoPad — When words are just simply not enough, this app allows you to sketch out your invention idea by creating vector images.

EazyDraw — Complete with multiple drawing screens, drawing scales, English & metric units, CMKY and RGB colors, this app is a great tool for sketching out a vector visualization of your idea.

Educate Yourself

Famous Inventions and Patents — Learn about the inventions that changed the world!  This app includes full text descriptions and technical drawings of some of history’s most important inventions.

Inventions News — Keep up to date with the latest invention-related news, videos, articles and columns.

Inventors Handbook — This app is perfect for any inventor who has a brilliant idea, but doesn’t know what to do next.

Patent Legal Coach — Learn everything you need to know about applying for a patent.  This app guides users through every step of the patent process – from search, drawings and claims to written description.

Next time you’re searching for fresh apps, don’t forget that creativity and innovation are only a finger click away!

There are a lot of theories out there about when to patent your product idea. At Davison, we follow the strategy of “BUILD BEFORE YOU PATENT,” which also happens to be the business strategy of most manufacturers. New product development is a balancing act, and the best tight-rope walkers in this industry to learn from are product manufacturers. So … logic says “THINK LIKE A MANUFACTURER.” Ask yourself, “Would a manufacturer of this product do that?”

Logically apply the protection process to your new product idea. Most patent attorneys will have you believe that patenting is the first critical step in inventing. Once you file a patent application all eyes can evaluate what you’re trying to invent and protect. This is not good! There’s nothing more disturbing than the USPTO letting “patent poachers” look at the applications before issuing patents when approximately 50% of all patent applications received are rejected. Manufacturers understand this and, in general, file for patents only after they have their new product ready for production.

Next time you’re in the store look to see how many products are not patented. Sometimes manufacturers simply determine they aren’t going to spend the time patenting simple items. You might also look at the back of a product and notice “Patent Pending.” This means patent applications were filed with the USPTO but not yet granted – it could take two years to get an issued patent. Can you imagine a manufacturer sitting around waiting two years before they try to turn a profit on their new product?

Our approach to inventing practically mirrors how manufacturers create, design and develop new products. We do NOT follow the old method of “patent first and then figure out what the product is later.” Scores of patents are rendered useless because the original design is too expensive to manufacture or is filled with design flaws. Concentrate on product design and then go the extra mile to figure out the product packaging solution before applying for a patent. Manufacturers do … so you should, as well.

Patenting can be a critical element in protecting your product; notice we said product, not idea. Invent, design, develop, package and then start considering the protection process. Our system can greatly assist you in your quest, and if you’re interested in having a no-cost consultation of your idea with us, click here to fill out our Confidentiality Agreement.

A commonly asked question is “How long does the Davison Process take?”

At Davison, our goal is to build your product in the most efficient time frame possible. Professionalism and delivering excellence in design for an economical value is the hallmark of the Davison process. Inventors, idea people and companies are always concerned about time frames when developing a new product for market. You see, developing a product is a complex process and it doesn’t happen overnight. Chances are you’ll only seriously pursue one product idea in your lifetime, and we recommend that the design be ready to be professionally presented.

The first step in our process is Pre-Development. Davison’s research team can finalize a Pre-Development report within 3 to 5 weeks. Once this first step is completed, if the client does not have a professional quality sample with packaging, we offer that service.

The second step prepares your new product idea for presentation to a manufacturer. Our team begins to envision the final design and packaging possibilities. The design team combines creative energy and design knowledge to create a working product sample of your idea. A new product sample with packaging typically takes 4 to 6 months to complete. During the process you’re updated on the development of your product.

Founder George Davison created a process and built a team of over 250 employees to effectively develop new products. With over 20 years of experience our team has developed one of the world’s fastest new product delivery systems. We’re able to produce over 200 new products every 30 days, and this experience enables us to give our clients an “inventing value.”

Developing a new product is a lengthy and complex process. Beware of anyone who tells you differently. A typical client can expect our process to take at least 6 months to get to the stage where the product idea is ready for presentation to a potential licensee.  We feel our process is the most economical and extensive in the industry and we hope you consider putting our experience to work for you. If you would like to start developing your idea, simply complete our confidentiality agreement for a no-cost consultation of your idea.