Total Inventor's Manual: Transform Your Idea into a Top-Selling Product (Popular Science) Paperback – September 18, 2018

I sometimes imagine what it would be like if I quit just tinkering around and jumped wholeheartedly into this inventor or “Maker” lifestyle you hear about. The idea is overwhelming and frankly a bit discouraging, because there are so many different aspects to this broad thing we call “inventing” and a lot of ways to run off the rails. Enter Sean Ragan’s new book, which purports to be the TOTAL Inventor’s Manual.I picked up this colorful, abundantly illustrated book as a self-indulgent Christmas present in the hopes that it would give me a little New Years’ kick. I’m very happy with it. It turns out that yes, inventing is hard and complicated, and yes, it is indeed appallingly tricky to bring an invention to fruition, but if you are persistent and energetic, this book will guide you through the necessary 200-odd steps. I put it down feeling energized and optimistic.Interspersed amongst the “How To” chapter-lets are profiles of and quotes from real inventors. These are especially inspiring once you realize that the main thing separating them from you is persistence and energy. Persistence and energy. Hey, I can do that! My favorite quote from the book’s collection comes from the inventor of the Dyson vacuum. It makes me feel lots better about the time I mocked up 10 different variants of a certain gizmo, none of which worked. “I made 5,127 prototypes of my vacuum before I got it right. There were 5,126 failures. But I learned from each one. That’s how I came up with a solution. So I don’t mind failure.”5,117 to go.

If you want to bring a new product to market, or you mentor people that do, this Popular Science book by Sean Ragan has nailed it. He fully comprehends the risk, benefits, pitfalls and path to success that every new product must encounter, and he does it in an easy to absorb, step-by-step, logical manner. He shows you how to minimize your risk during the product development phase, fine tune and market-test the product for your most profitable market, highlights ways to get your product produced economically, and then how to get it funded and on its way into customer's lives. Whether you're half way there and stumped or just starting out, you need to have this manual in your life. Finally, the design of the manual is brilliant. The book pages are as durable as my now 60 year old Boy Scout Handbook, The fabulous illustrations keep the book light and enjoyable to glide through. It's "bulletproof" durability, water resistance, shop-proof and thus will serve not just you but the many inventors you will gift it to down the road. I wish I had this manual when I started out 50 years ago. I'm going to buy half-dozen more copies right away and send them to friends who are currently involved in product development or who mentor those that are. This could serve as an inventor's text book for a four-semester college class. Thank you, Mr. Ragan and thanks to Popular Science for bringing this product to market.The Total Inventors Manual (Popular Science): Transform Your Idea into a Top-Selling Product

One of the best books on inventing I have seen. The only fault I have is that the print is too small and a chore to read for my elderly eyes. Suggest you order it on trial and see how it is for you, RS

With tons of illustrations - literally on every page, this book is a great easy read for beginner level inventors to get an overview of the different aspects of inventing - enough to get the creative juices flowing. The Popular Science brand drew me into the book and I found its a great book to gift to a teenager or a young entrepreneur to get them into the creative innovation groove.

Whether you're hoping to inspire a budding inventor in your life, develop and perfect your latest idea, or produce, market and sell your product, this book will help! From how to use tools to running a successful Kickstarter campaign, this book has your back. It's extremely informative about every step of the process from idea to production, but it's written in an accessible and witty style that will keep you entertained while you're learning. I enjoyed all the profiles and stories of successful inventors - very inspiring.

This beautifully illustrated book is a thorough overview of what you might need to consider when coming up with a new product. It moves from the idea phase through prototyping to seeking funding. It also include profiles of a number of successful inventors/entrepreneurs.

This book is very generalized, and is in no way an "Inventor's Manual". The book tries to cover from concept to market, but is written in the format that much of online(Top Ten) type content is written. It highlights many points but fails to dig deep into anything. That being said, the book may be a good starting point for someone that doesn't know anything about inventing.

Covers so much concisely and beautifully. All aspects of inventing - from brainstorming to producing and selling your invention. Filled with humor and insights into those who have succeeded...and written by someone who really knows the space.

Nobody can turn your idea into reality, but reading books such as this can help you to evaluate your idea and direct you on the right path....

Great book.

I can't really say that the book is not well written and that is not easy to follow. The problem is that if you already are familiar with the maker world and if you have a good common sense of how the market and production processes works you are not going to learn a lot from this book.

Packed with seriously good information presented in a relaxed way. A must for any Inventor or anyone interested in product design.

This was a gift for my partner. I should have known better as he doesn't like reading and avoids it at all costs. I thought it would help him with his business but at this point he already knows most of the information in the book as helping other inventors is kind of what he does now so I'd be worried if he didn't know it! I had a little flick through though and I personally think that for someone who is new to the invention process it has a lot of useful tips about funding your product, 3D printing and marketing etc.