Ask Trevor Baylis transcript
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| This event took place Wednesday 16th January, 2002 |
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Trevor Baylis
Inventor and Best Inventions presenter Trevor Baylis, joined us for a Live Chat and answered your questions about how he became an inventor and lots more ...
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Question from Tim Hill: What do you think is the best invention ever?
Trevor Baylis: It's got to be the wheel. You'll find a wheel probably in every engine that's ever existed.
Question from Rosie Wilkins: How do you go about getting your inventions noticed?
Trevor Baylis: It depends on the individual. In my case, I was always a showman. I found I could always do my own publicity from my own ideas. You have to be careful who you talk to about your invention. Tell the wrong person, and they could run away with the idea, and publicise it themselves as being their own idea. It's a hard job, publicising yourself, because you have to put modesty to one side. Be very, very careful. Contact the BBC, and I would be delighted at some stage to talk to you further.
Question from Stephen Woodcock: What invention would you most like to see appear within the next few years?
Trevor Baylis: What tends to happen is that an invention climbs on the back of an existing invention. I think probably the most important inventions would be solutions to the spread of Aids, for example. We're talking now about medical inventions. Certain diseases and illnesses have to be eradicated, and so it's down to the pharmacist.
Question from Carl Norman: I have an invention but who can I talk to to get a prototype?
Trevor Baylis: You do not talk to anybody about your invention until you have filed for a patent. However, you must first do a search to ensure that nobody has done it already before, because they can sue you if you start creating their idea or product. Phone the Patent Office for an information pack. The number is 08459 500 505.
Question from Simon Brown: I have an idea which I feel has great potential, what is the best advice you can give me to get started?
Trevor Baylis: Again, make contact with the Patent Office and read all about it. But more important than that, don't talk to anybody about your idea, because if you disclose it, you are then unable to secure your patent. Nobody pays you for a good idea, but they might pay you for a piece of paper which says you own that idea.
Question from Vincent Morrey: Is it the idea or the product that is patented?
Trevor Baylis: Very often, novelty is all that's required to make your idea patentable. In other words, if it is unique in the way it works or performs, then that in itself may be sufficient to be granted a patent. Again, phone the Patent Office for an information pack, and read all about it. There is a link to the Patent Office on the Best Inventions web page.
Question from Daniel Bahk: What is your favourite invention?
Trevor Baylis: It's got to be the jet engine. If we'd listened to Frank Whittle when he first created it, then instead of our pilots flying Spitfires, they would have been flying jet planes, and then perhaps World War II would have been World War 1 1/2.
Question from Peter: What would you say is the single most important attribute that a successful inventor needs?
Trevor Baylis: He or she needs to have an ego as big as a truck, because otherwise you'll get blown away by the first know-all that comes your way. Persevere, and also try to make sure that what you are doing is realisable.
Question from Bhavin Pabari: Hi, I am a young inventor and I have a good idea for a product but I don't know how to make it and I don't want to wait because it may be invented by someone else before me, what shall I do?
Trevor Baylis: You must turn to somebody you implicitly trust - a family member perhaps - because he or she will be able to carry out that task on your behalf. However, a drawing may be all that is necessary, because when you file for a patent, it's usually in the form of a drawing or sketch.
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