Learn all about the inventor archetype, including definition, characteristics, examples and how it relates to the Creator archetype.
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What is the Inventor Archetype?
The archetypal Inventor is driven by an ability to imagine what the world of the future will look like, and then a desire to turn this imagined image into reality.
The Inventor sees problems in the world around them and sets out to solve them by coming up with concrete inventions or solutions which will resolve the issues, changing the way humanity does things for the better.
The Inventor is a skilled physical worker, preferring the hands on role of designing and physically creating something than the more abstract work of other careers.
They enjoy building, repairing and fixing things, all of which bring them a sense of achievement. They relate easily to the physical world around them, with an innate sense of how things are created and work.
They display a tremendous curiosity about the natural, physical world and enjoy sharing this with other people, keen to foster the same passion in others.
Inventor Archetype Characteristics & Traits
- Inventors are both logical and intuitive people, a combination which allows them to be effective leaders of people and projects.
- However, they do not always relish the responsibility which leadership brings or see themselves as the best candidate for it, thus sometimes demonstrating a reluctance to put themselves forward for such opportunities.
- Despite this, they are ambitious people who are able to demonstrate great energy in getting things done.
- They are persistent, never disheartened when they encounter problems in achieving their goals but instead able to problem solve in order to allow them to continue on their path towards success.
- The Inventor’s enthusiasm and energy for driving forward their projects and ideas can mean that they struggle with the more mundane aspects of life and work, losing interest in the boring or routine tasks which are required of them.
- Their energy drives them to want to work quickly and they can soon become impatient if they do not achieve success as quickly as they feel they should or if others cannot keep up, all of which can lead to mistakes creeping into their work.
- However, they are open to the ideas of others and willing to consider alternate opinions to their own, making them good work companions and able to turn things around if they become stuck in a rut.
Inventor Archetype Examples
An example of the Inventor Archetype is Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and engineer best known for his contributions to the design of the modern AC electricity supply system.
Tesla studied engineering and physics in the 1870s. He emigrated to the United States and worked for a time at the Edison Machine Work. With the help of partners Tesla set up laboratories and companies developing a range of electrical and mechanical devices.
His alternating current (AC) induction motor and related patents earned him a lot of money. Tesla became well known as an inventor.
Further Reading
Further reading on the inventor archetype includes:
- Leonardo Da Vinci: Artist, Scientist, Inventor Hardcover – by Simona Cremante (Editor)
- Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind – by Scott Barry Kaufman
- My Inventions and Other Writings – by Nikola Tesla, Samantha Hunt (Introduction)
