What are some creative ways to solve previously unsolved technological problems?

1 Think outside the box

One of the keys to solving unsolved problems is to challenge your assumptions and look for new perspectives and possibilities. Sometimes, the solution may lie in a different field, discipline, or industry than the one you are working on. For example, the invention of Velcro was inspired by the way burrs stick to fur and clothing. The creator of Velcro, George de Mestral, observed this phenomenon and applied it to create a fastener that could be easily attached and detached. By thinking outside the box, you can discover new connections and insights that can help you solve your problem.

2 Use analogies and metaphors

Another way to stimulate your creativity and find new solutions is to use analogies and metaphors to describe your problem and compare it to something else. Analogies and metaphors can help you simplify complex problems, identify key features and relationships, and generate novel ideas. For example, the concept of biomimicry is based on using analogies and metaphors from nature to solve human problems. By mimicking the structures, functions, and processes of living organisms, biomimicry can help design sustainable and efficient solutions for various challenges, such as energy, transportation, and materials.

4 Collaborate and co-create

Solving unsolved problems can be difficult and daunting, especially if you try to do it alone. Collaboration and co-creation can help you leverage the skills, knowledge, and perspectives of other people who share your vision or have different expertise. By collaborating and co-creating, you can also increase your motivation, creativity, and innovation potential. For example, the Human Genome Project was a collaborative and co-creative effort by thousands of scientists from different countries and disciplines, who worked together to sequence and map the human DNA.

5 Seek feedback and input

Finally, solving unsolved problems requires constant learning and improvement. Seeking feedback and input from others can help you evaluate your solutions, identify gaps and flaws, and find ways to enhance them. Feedback and input can also help you gain new insights, perspectives, and ideas that you may not have considered. For example, the Linux operating system was developed by Linus Torvalds, who shared his code with other programmers and invited them to contribute and improve it. By seeking feedback and input, he created a collaborative and open-source platform that is widely used and adapted today.