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An Interview with James West from Johns Hopkins University

In January, 2007 Dr. Linda Tsantis, BKFK Advisory Board Member, sat down with renowned inventor and fellow JHU Professor James West.

James “Jim” West co-invented the electret microphone used in most telephones, cellphones, tape recorders, acoustic equipment, toys and in all hearing aids. Over the past several decades West has pursued his passion with electrically charged materials and recording devices and has accumulated an amazing 50 domestic and more than 200 foreign patents. He is an award winning inventor turned Professor. He has provided this interview for you to use with your kids and hopes that his life can inspire budding future inventors and scientists. He is a powerful role model and inspiration.

When did you know you were going to be an inventor?

I was always interested in how things worked when I was a child. I remember when I was just 8 years old and I inadvertently conducted my first “scientific experiment”. “Conducted” is exactly what happened when 120 volts of electricity shot through my body as I attempted to plug the cord of a radio I repaired into an outlet! Rather then stop me, this shocking encounter with electricity only made me more fascinated with electricity and totally determined to “learn everything I could about it”.

What challenges did you face on your journey to successful inventor?

I think it is important for children to know that they can succeed even if they have challenges. I was able to go to college and study physics despite growing up in the south before the Civil Rights Movement. My father wanted me to become a Doctor but I knew I would only be happy studying physics and “tinkering”.

I am dyslexic and memorized my textbooks in order to hide this reading disorder from everyone. This didn’t stop me from learning. Very often people with learning problems see the world “differently” and this quality may make them very successful inventors. Embrace and accept your challenges. Find ways to make them work for you.

What can teachers do to help students become more inventive and more aware of the power of invention?

I think teachers have a very important role in the future of this country. My wife teaches children with special needs and I am very familiar with the awesome responsibility teachers face in these times.

Teachers are powerful role models and mentors who can help students “think outside the box and propose things that are wildly different.” Teachers can instill a love of learning in their students. They can inspire and ignite the inventive thinking spirit. Children need encouragement and support to follow their dreams. Teachers can also expose children to the new and exciting career paths available in these modern times.Do you have any tips on how to teach inventive thinking?

One of my own techniques is to use the power of imagination to make a picture in my mind of what I am trying to understand. I “become” part of the problem and solution. For example, when I was concerned about what an electron does, I “became” an electron. This role playing in my mind allows me to “look at the situation differently, from all its dimensions and possibilities.”

What can parents do?

I have concerns about kids making heroes of hip-hop stars and professional athletes instead of engineers, inventors and scientists. Parents can expose their kids to museums, libraries and information about people who have contributed to society like architects, engineers, and inventors. These stories are interesting and provide alternative role models. Modern media does not celebrate the true heroes who use hard work, education and sacrifice to make their impact on the world.

Do you have other tips or advice for people who want to help kids think inventively?

I am a strong advocate of brainstorming with fellow “tinkerers” to ignite a “thinking bonfire” that burns brighter with each new idea.

I also find that having quiet moments to reflect and contemplate is critical to discovery. I worry that today’s teachers and their students may not have time to brainstorm. Kids need to devote a few minutes to solitude and reflection. If they don’t, they may miss the opportunity to tap into the deep structures of imagination and learning.

Anything else you want to add in summary?

Inspire children to follow their dreams. If they enjoy the career and vocation they choose, they will be happy and successful. Hard work will seem less hard if they are interested in what they are doing.

Additional Inspirational Activities This brainteaser exercise offers one way to explore inventive thinking and reflections on specific problem solving skills. Click here We have also provided an e-book you can print for your students to illustrate. Click here to download. You can read this book with your students, print it, staple it and put it in your class library. To learn more about James West and other African American inventors, check out these web sites: http://www.scienceupdate.com/spotlights/africanamerican.php http://www.black-inventor.com/James-E-West.asp http://www.ece.jhu.edu/faculty/west.shtml