Did you ever feel like your invention was too SIMPLE or SMALL? Have you ever wondered if it will be a miss in the market? Have you tried to figure out how to patent an invention idea?

Stop worrying!

An invention does not need to be as big as a suspension bridge to make an impact.

Simple inventions can also be impactful. In fact, some of them have been critical to our routine daily living over the years.

So, don't ditch your simple invention idea. Instead, embrace and develop it. Also, make sure you use a credible patent service to protect your invention idea.

But say you're not convinced yet, draw inspiration from the following simple inventions that have changed the world. Here are some examples:

5 Simple But Very Impactful Inventions

Compass

Before the compass, navigators read stars to find their way. Unfortunately, that method is only effective at night.

And when the night is stormy and cloudy, stars aren't the best navigation tool.

Then came the compass in the 11th century!

Since then, navigators don't need stars or the sun to find their way. Be it stormy or clear weather, the compass will deliver.

Thanks to the compass, world exploration and discovery were possible. It changed what we know about the world and has been adopted in several inventions.

Antibiotics

Just like the compass, antibiotics have been one of the simple but impactful inventions. Perhaps they are even more crucial to daily living than the compass.

You don't need to travel. However, you can get ill through exposure to bacteria. When you do, antibiotics will be ready to save you.

But do you know that antibiotics weren't always a feature?

Before 1877, there was no record of antibiotic drugs. Then, people have no EFFECTIVE remedy against harmful bacteria.

Thankfully, the reality is better today.

Now, we have countless antibiotics to treat all forms of infections.

Notable mention: penicillin

Blood Banks

Like antibiotics, blood banks are another example of a simple invention that is indispensable to date.

To appreciate blood banks, you must understand that before the invention, blood transfusion used to be hectic. There was no organized donor-receiver system.

For that reason, patients are tasked with finding donors. Most importantly, the donor must be around to donate the blood. Because there was no preservation technique.

Then came blood banks in the 19th century!

Since then, blood banks have saved thousands of lives. Today, patients don't need to find donors or ask donors to donate blood on D-day.

Several donors donate blood randomly all over the world. The donations are then tagged and organized. That way, doctors can match the compatible blood groups.

Notable mention: Bernard Fantus and Charles R. Drew; the former devices how to preserve blood. And the latter discovered that plasma alone might be enough for blood transfusion.

Find more influential inventors here!

Nails

Ordinarily, nails might seem inconsequential. After all, they are JUST small, weird-looking spiked metals.

But in reality, nails are much more than spiked metals. Before they existed, people had to use ropes to tie structures together to build a home.

The more advanced people used interlocking boards.

In any case, the structures held together by rope and interlocks weren't fitted enough. Then, fast forward to the 19th century - nails came around.

Since then, nails have made construction faster and more durable. Beautifully enough, different types of nails exist today for various jobs.

Duct Tapes

The backstory of duct tapes is inspirational. It can encourage you to chase your invention idea regardless of its simplicity or similarities with another product.

That said, here's the story:

Before duct tapes, there were paper tapes. However, they are brittle. To navigate the brittleness, people usually wax the paper-taped area.

You would think waxing the paper tape would suffice. Still, the tape will be torn on delivery. Worst case: the package will take more time to open.

Fast forward to President Franklin Roosevelt's reign, duct tape came along.

Then, soldiers received packages sealed with waxed paper tapes. Unfortunately, they (the soldiers) find opening their boxes difficult during the hot exchange on the battlefield.

Luckily, Vesta Stoudt (mother to two Navy officers) thought of a waterproof, cloth-based tape. The idea was endorsed by the president, and the rest was history.

Today, duct tape is used even in construction and engineering.

Fun fact: astronauts use duct tape during repairs on the moon. In fact, crew members of the Apollo used this invention to navigate an accident that would have taken their lives.

Verdict

In reality, there is no small or simple invention. As long as your product solves a significant problem, no one cares about the size. So, don't worry about it too.

More importantly, take inspiration from the duct tape story. Regardless of what's been invented, you can also improve it to make waves in the market.

Further reading: How To Turn An Idea Into A Business Model