The glass harmonica: a story of creativity and innovation (No.14)

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Whilst inventing the glass harmonica, Benjamin Franklin used a variety of creative thinking and problem solving approaches. Four of these approaches stand out because of their simplicity.      

Here is the third approach:

Applying inside-out thinking to solving problems.

Franklin used inside-out thinking to invent the glass harmonica.

The glass harp, the predecessor to the glass harmonica, usually used glasses filled with water to produce music. Franklin's glass harmonica applied water to the outside of the glasses. 

This reversal, together with the changed angle from which Franklin approached his challenge, produced a musical instrument less difficult to transport and prepare for performance and more reliable and versatile than its predecessors.

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