Applied Imagination: Principles and Procedures of Creative Problem-Solving: Third Revised Edition

This book was originally published in 1953. The 21 printings to date have totalled more than 160,000 copies. Although four revised printings were published between 1958 and 1962, this new issue has been substantially up-dated and emended - so much so that this edition has been entirely reset. The need for so complete a revision stemmed from the recent research findings at such institutions as the University of Southern California, the University of Chicago, and the University of Minnesota. These scientific investigations have further confirmed and clarified the principles and procedures which the author originally promulgated. Step by step, this books sets forth the ways in which all of us can more productively apply our innate creativity toward the betterment of our personal and occupational lives. Ad the leading textbook in a new field, it has done much to bring about a needed improvement in the nation's education - development of creative potential. In an address at M.I. T. in 1955, the author summed up as follows: "I submit that creativity will never be an exact science. In fact, much of it will always remain a mystery - as much of a mystery as 'what makes our heart tick?' At the same time, I submit that creativity is an art - an applied art - a workable art - a teachable art - a learnable art - an art in which all of us can make ourselves more and more proficient, if we will." The teachablity of this art has been confirmed by the scientific investigation which has shown that the average person can almost double his ability to think up good ideas by the careful study and application of Applied Imagination.