Usually Ships Same-Day

Free Ground Shipping Any size order -- USA

Fast Priority Mail: $3.99

Other Shipping - USA International Shipping

Henry Altshuller (H. Altov) is President of the Inventor's Association of Russia. He is author of several other titles on inventing and creativity that have been published in the former Soviet Union. This work was translated and adapted by Lev Shulyak, an inventor with many patents who is a native of Russia and has lived in the United States for many years.

In this book the reader can work through 78 real problems that have a range of difficulty. An invention is needed in each. In the process of solving the problems the reader learns to apply 27 practical thinking tools and techniques. Answers to the problems are provided in the appendix, along with a summary of the Inventive Problem Solving Theory.

This is the first practical book on the innovative approach to the process of inventing and solving technical problems published in the United States on the subject of technical creativity. The author shows that the process of solving technical problems, while easily learned by anyone, can be an important tool on the job--and also be a lot of fun. In a humorous manner and layman's terms the author presents basic elements of the Inventive Problem Solving Theory. TRIZ is the Russian abbreviation.

The theory was developed by the author in the former Soviet Union, and during the last 40 years has evolved into the Science of Technical Creativity. It is being taught in more then 300 schools and learning institutions to people of various ages and backgrounds abroad. Now, it is finally available in the USA. Today Wayne State University in Detroit is the first American institution to offer courses in Technical Creativity using Altshuller's methodology."

Some Excerpts From The book...

~ "We live in an Era of Technical Revolution. The main point is that this revolution lies not in the appearance of new machines, they have appeared before. The method of developing new machines is changing. An organized way of thinking replaces the old chaotic one. Every step in the thinking process should be as accurate as the movements of a pilot flying an airplane."

~ "So far we have talked about simple physical effects that everybody in school knows. However, there is a more complicated physics, the physics that college students learn. The knowledge of this physics give an inventor more powerful tools. ... This time, we will study a problem that requires only the knowledge of elementary physics. Later I will explain what we can achieve if we use just a little physics from college. ... Problem #32: Ice On The Electric Power Lines ..."

About TRIZ

The Russian acronym for Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, TRIZ was developed by Genrich Altshuller in 1946. He discovered that the evolution of technical systems follows predictable patterns. Indeed, inventiveness and creativity can be taught. TRIZ, an algorithmic methodology, has validated itself by solving thousands of difficult technical problems. It remained underground in the USSR where it was developed in secret by an intellectual elite. With the fall of the Soviet Union, TRIZ has reemerged in the West. Today many Fortune 500 companies are successfully applying TRIZ.

About The Author

Genrich Altsbuller received his first Soviet patent at the age, of fourteen. While in his early twenties he began developing TRIZ. Stalin rewarded him with 25 years imprisonment in Siberia. Released after Stalin's death, he led the underground TRIZ revolution --a fundamental shift in the technical creativity paradigm Today, he is President of the Russian TRIZ Association.

About The Translator

Lev Shulyak, an inventor for four decades, first encountered TRIZ in 1961, and subsequently earned twenty patents. In 1974, he immigrated to America where he was the first person to teach TRIZ to the West. In 1991, he founded Technical Innovation Center, Inc., devoted to TRIZ problem solving and training.

What others say...

~ Students who did not dare to tackle even simple problems in the beginning of our course on Creative Problem Solving in design and manufacturing are able to solve difficult problems at the end. It is very unfortunate that Altshuller's Theory of Inventive Problem Solving was not known in the US until recently. The book gives an excellent introduction to this fascinating technology."
--Eugene Rivin
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Wayne State University

~ "This book is a real eye opener--especially for the people who are not familiar with the theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). In a very popular form, Henry Altshuller presents the essence of a very powerful technique that allows anyone to innovate on demand. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to be successful in their career."
--Emanuel Rozental,
Engineering Manager
Technical Instrument Company

"An astonishing piece of work... In a word, TRIZ is a treasure."
--George M. Prince,
Cofounder of Synectics, Inc.

"A landmark text, the best introduction to TRIZ available in English."
--Larry R. Smith,
Ford Motor Company.

This legendary book, And Suddenly the Inventor Appeared, was first translated and published in English in 1993. Many illustrations are included in this text. ~

And Suddenly The Inventor Appeared: TRIZ, The Theory Of Inventive Problem Solving
Our price: $36.00

Catalog# 4028-2