Age of Independent Inventors

54 years old.  Median age of independent inventors.  “In 1976, a sample was taken from a group of inventors who had sought assistance from the Experimental Center for the Advancement of Invention and Innovation at the University of Oregon between 1974 and 1975.  …It was also reported that the median age of the inventor respondents was 54 years of age (Albaum, 1975).” (Lisa Blades, R. Stephen Parker, Gerald G. Udell, “The new independent inventor: implications for corporate policy,” Symposium: Preparing for the Future, Review of Business, March 22, 1996)

Gender

80.9% male.  “The [independent inventor] respondents were identified by sex and males clearly outnumbered females. The sample used in this study consists of 114 males (80.9%) and 27 females (19.1%). The number of females is considerably higher than the 10-11% ratio cited in the literature (Albaum, 1975). Some of this deviation from the previous norm may have been caused by an article on inventions that appeared in the October 17, 1989 edition of Family Circle magazine which featured the evaluation program used in this study. As a result of this article an unusually large number of women submitted inventions for evaluation during the time period used in this study.” (Lisa Blades, R. Stephen Parker, Gerald G. Udell, “The new independent inventor: implications for corporate policy,” Symposium: Preparing for the Future, Review of Business, March 22, 1996)

Occupation

49.5% managerial or professional.  Percent of independent inventors reporting their occupation as managerial or professional.  “In 1976, a sample was taken from a group of inventors who had sought assistance from the Experimental Center for the Advancement of Invention and Innovation at the University of Oregon between 1974 and 1975. The results of this study showed that almost half (49.5%) of the inventors' occupations were managerial or professional in nature.”  (Lisa Blades, R. Stephen Parker, Gerald G. Udell, “The new independent inventor: implications for corporate policy,” Symposium: Preparing for the Future, Review of Business, March 22, 1996)

18.6% non-clerical white collar.  Percent of independent inventors reporting their occupation as non-clerical white collar.  “In 1976, a sample was taken from a group of inventors who had sought assistance from the Experimental Center for the Advancement of Invention and Innovation at the University of Oregon between 1974 and 1975. The results of this study showed that… …white collar, non-clerical occupations accounted for 18.6% of the respondents.”  (Lisa Blades, R. Stephen Parker, Gerald G. Udell, “The new independent inventor: implications for corporate policy,” Symposium: Preparing for the Future, Review of Business, March 22, 1996)

18.6% non-factory blue collar.  Percent of independent inventors reporting their occupation as non-factory blue collar.  “In 1976, a sample was taken from a group of inventors who had sought assistance from the Experimental Center for the Advancement of Invention and Innovation at the University of Oregon between 1974 and 1975. The results of this study showed that almost half (49.5%) of the inventors' occupations were managerial or professional in nature. Two other relatively large groups were found in this study. White collar, non-clerical occupations accounted for 18.6% of the respondents. Another 18.6% were considered to be non-factory, blue collar in terms of occupation.” (Lisa Blades, R. Stephen Parker, Gerald G. Udell, “The new independent inventor: implications for corporate policy,” Symposium: Preparing for the Future, Review of Business, March 22, 1996)