Leisure-Time Inventions Hit a Peak in Middle Age

Employees’ likelihood of inventing something for their jobs during leisure time – such as while talking a walk or a bath – rises to a peak at age 51, on average, according to a study led by Lee N. Davis of Copenhagen Business School in Denmark. In an analysis of thousands of European patents, the researchers theorize that by the time invention-minded employees reach middle age, they tend to be in management, and their busy schedules force them to do their creative thinking during free hours. After 51, greater detachment from inventive tasks could be the reason for declining free-time invention. 6% of the inventions in the study arose during leisure time.