The document discusses the history of idea engines and how they have changed the world. It defines idea engines as systems designed to efficiently carry out ideas in the same way machines carry out labor. Some examples of early idea engines mentioned are cuneiform script, wind power, Carolus Linnaeus' work in plant taxonomy, and scientific works. More recent idea engines include social networking and creativity techniques like brainstorming and lateral thinking. The document argues that idea engines can deliberately foster creativity through conceptual principles and operational procedures.

1. A short history of idea engines and how they change our world Tudor Rickards, Upsalla Creativity Day, March 2 nd 2009

2. Proposition: Ideas change the world

3. Engines, machines and ideas To understand idea engines and idea machines we have to understand the nature of all engines and machines

4. Machines are systems designed to carry out labour-saving tasks efficiently If an engine is ‘ the ghost in the machine ’ An idea engine is ‘ the ghost in an idea machine ’

5. An early world-changing idea engine: Cuneiform script enables record-keeping

6. Wind Power as Idea Engines

7. A great Swedish idea engine … … Carolus Linnaeus, father of plant taxonomy

8. A famous scientific idea engine

9. A recent world changing Idea engine …

10. Structured approaches to creativity J H McPherson Arthur Koestler

11. Morphology for utilizing spare capacity (Sweden) From Richie, T., 2002, http://www.swemorph.com/it-art.html

12. Creative Analysis Creativity may be deliberately fostered through techniques (idea engines) such as morphological analysis, lateral thinking, or brainstorming

13. Creative analysis as an explanation of how creativity techniques support creativity Technique (trial 1) Operational procedures Technique (trial 2) Conceptual principles

14. An Idea Engine for Research Questions Problem as given Operational procedures Problem as understood Conceptual principles

15. Social Networking: An Emerging Idea Engine

16. The Manchester Business School DBA (Doctoral) Programme The Mersey Care Health Trust Creativity, Culture and Well-being project Current projects at MBS Peter Kawalek (Public sector Networks)

17. Into the future … The wisdom of the great man .. The wisdom of the crowd .. The wisdom of the ecosphere

18. To go more deeply