One thing that a lot of exhibitors at InventHelp’s INPEX Invention Show have in common is the desire to have everyday people look at their inventions and say “wow, I could really use something like that.” For most inventors, the motive for inventing is to create something others will find useful – something that makes life easier, more convenient or more entertaining.

There’s a really interesting book out now that delves into the subject of how people relate to inventions and technology, which I recommend checking out – especially for those working on creating new products. It’s called The Inner History of Devices and it was written by a sociologist and psychologist named Sherry Turkle, who teaches at MIT.

In the book, Turkle examines the emotional bond that develops between people and their gadgets. Memoirs, ethnographies and clinical cases collected in this very readable book tell specific stories of individuals and their personal attachments to the inventions that play prominent roles in their lives – computers, cell phones, video poker machines, even prosthetic eyes.

For those interested in peering into the psychology of consumers and tech users (and it’s always a good thing when developing a new product to get inside the heads of your target audience), this book is definitely worth a look. The Inner History of Devices is currently available for purchase from MIT Press for $24.95.

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