The Soviet Engineer Who Cracked the Code of Innovation

Watch: The Story of Genrich Altshuller - A short documentary on TRIZ’s creator

Leningrad, 1946. In a cramped apartment still bearing scars from the siege, a young naval officer named Genrich Altshuller pored over stacks of patent documents. The war had ended, but his mind raced with a new battle - to understand why some inventions succeeded while others failed. Night after night, as he cataloged thousands of technical breakthroughs, a pattern emerged that would revolutionize how we solve problems.

”The most brilliant solutions weren’t random acts of genius,” Altshuller later wrote in his prison diary (arrested for challenging Stalinist scientific dogma). “They followed hidden patterns, like nature’s own algorithms for innovation.” This epiphany became TRIZ - the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving.

What began as one man’s obsession now powers global innovation. Consider:

• The smartphone in your pocket likely contains TRIZ-inspired chips
• The pen that wrote in space? TRIZ principles in action
• Even the candy-coated chocolate you ate as a child owes its existence to this system

Unlike traditional brainstorming that relies on random idea generation, TRIZ provides a structured framework for innovation. As Altshuller famously stated, “The best solutions transform the problem rather than compromise.” This philosophy is embodied in TRIZ’s core tools: the 40 inventive principles and the contradiction matrix.

Why TRIZ Matters Today

In our era of rapid technological change, TRIZ has gained global recognition. Companies like Samsung attribute over 50 patented innovations annually to TRIZ methodology. NASA engineers have used it to solve spacecraft design challenges. Even consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble applies TRIZ principles to product development.

What makes TRIZ uniquely powerful is its foundation in patterns of invention rather than psychological techniques. As Karen Gadd, author of “TRIZ for Engineers” explains: “TRIZ doesn’t depend on creative genius - it provides the thinking tools that make innovation reproducible.”

The 40 Inventive Principles: A Toolkit for Innovation

Altshuller’s analysis revealed that nearly all patentable inventions apply combinations of just 40 fundamental principles. These principles form a powerful toolkit for systematic innovation. Let’s examine some of the most impactful ones with real-world examples:

1. Segmentation (Principle #1)

Example: Personal computers replaced mainframes by segmenting computing power to individual users. Similarly, IKEA segmented furniture into flat-pack components for easier shipping and assembly.

2. Taking Out (Principle #2)

Example: Noise-canceling headphones remove unwanted sound waves while preserving desired audio. This principle also appears in medical dialysis machines that filter blood.

3. Local Quality (Principle #3)

Example: Non-stick coatings applied only to cooking surfaces of pans, or drill bits with diamond tips on just the cutting edge. Mars used this principle to create M&M’s - protecting the chocolate with a hard sugar shell.

4. Asymmetry (Principle #4)

Example: Asymmetrical aircraft wings improve stability, and asymmetrical toothpaste tube nozzles provide better control. Samsung applied this to refrigerator shelf designs.

These four principles alone have generated thousands of patents. The full set of 40 covers everything from “Preliminary Action” (preparing objects to function properly) to “Color Changes” (using color to solve problems).

But principles alone don’t guarantee innovation - they need a framework for application. This is where TRIZ’s most powerful tool comes into play: its systematic approach to resolving contradictions. Just as a master chef needs both ingredients and techniques, TRIZ practitioners combine inventive principles with contradiction analysis to create breakthrough solutions.

Solving Contradictions: The Heart of TRIZ

Try It Yourself: Interactive Contradiction Matrix Tool

TRIZ recognizes that innovation often requires resolving contradictions - situations where improving one aspect of a system worsens another. The methodology classifies these into two powerful categories:

Technical Contradictions

These occur when improving one parameter causes deterioration in another. The classic example comes from aircraft design:

• Problem: Increasing wing size improves lift but reduces speed
• TRIZ Solution: Use Principle #24 (Intermediary) - deploy flaps that extend only during takeoff/landing

The contradiction matrix maps 39 engineering parameters against each other, suggesting the most likely inventive principles to resolve each conflict. For instance:

• Strength vs Weight contradictions often resolve with Principle #40 (Composite Materials)
• Speed vs Accuracy points to Principle #10 (Preliminary Action)

Physical Contradictions

More challenging are physical contradictions, where a system must simultaneously exhibit opposite states. Consider:

• Problem: A car bumper must be rigid to protect passengers but flexible to absorb impact
• TRIZ Solution: Apply Principle #1 (Segmentation) - create crumple zones that absorb energy while maintaining passenger compartment rigidity

”Contradictions aren’t problems to avoid but opportunities to innovate,” says TRIZ expert Ellen Domb. “The matrix guides you to principles that have solved similar contradictions before.”

TRIZ in Action: Real-World Innovation Stories

The true test of any methodology lies in its practical applications. Here are three remarkable cases where TRIZ drove breakthrough innovations:

1. Samsung’s Semiconductor Revolution: A TRIZ Turning Point

2003 - Samsung’s semiconductor division was at a crossroads. Lead engineer Ji-hoon Park stared at the latest yield reports, his team’s frustration palpable. “Smaller features meant more failures,” he recalled. “We were caught between performance demands and manufacturing realities - a classic technical contradiction.”

The TRIZ team gathered in their Daejeon lab, contradiction matrix in hand. As they mapped parameters #27 (Reliability) against #32 (Manufacturing precision), the matrix pointed decisively to Principle #24: Intermediary.

”At first we resisted,” admits materials scientist Yuna Kim. “An intermediary layer sounded like added complexity.” But the team persisted, developing an intermediate mask technology that acted like a “training wheels” system during fabrication. The results stunned the industry:

• 22% smaller features
• Yield improvements of 15%
• 18 new patents filed

This TRIZ-driven breakthrough propelled Samsung from struggling competitor to semiconductor leader. As Park reflects: “We didn’t outspend our rivals - we outthought them. TRIZ gave us the patterns they were missing.”

2. NASA’s Space Pen

The classic “space pen” story demonstrates multiple TRIZ principles. NASA needed a pen that would:

• Write in zero gravity (Principle #25 - Self-service)
• Function upside down (Principle #13 - The other way round)
• Work in extreme temperatures (Principle #3 - Local quality) The solution combined pressurized ink cartridges with a thixotropic ink formula.

3. Procter & Gamble’s Packaging Innovation

P&G used TRIZ to resolve the physical contradiction of needing packaging that was both strong (to protect products) and lightweight (to reduce shipping costs). Applying Principle #40 (Composite materials), they developed a honeycomb-structured cardboard that was 30% lighter yet equally strong.

”TRIZ gives you the patterns of innovation,” explains Jack Hipple, TRIZ trainer for companies like Intel and Boeing. “It’s like having the playbook of every winning team in history.”

The Limits and Strengths: A Balanced View of TRIZ

While TRIZ has transformed innovation across industries, thoughtful practitioners acknowledge its boundaries. As with any methodology, understanding both its power and limitations leads to more effective application.

Common Criticisms and Limitations

1. Steep Learning Curve

   • The 40 principles and contradiction matrix require significant study
   • ”It took us six months before teams could apply TRIZ independently,” admits Boeing’s innovation lead Mark Williams

2. Overemphasis on Technical Problems

   • Less effective for purely social or organizational challenges
   • Hybrid approaches (like combining with Design Thinking) often work better for service design

3. Cultural Adaptation Needed

   • Some principles reflect Soviet-era industrial contexts
   • Modern practitioners like Toru Nakagawa have developed localized versions for different business cultures

4. Potential for Mechanical Application

   • Novices sometimes apply principles formulaically without deep problem understanding
   • As TRIZ master Boris Zlotin warns: “The matrix suggests, but the innovator must interpret”

Why TRIZ Still Matters

Despite these challenges, TRIZ’s core strengths remain compelling:

• Patterns Over Randomness: The 40 principles distill centuries of inventive wisdom
• Contradiction Resolution: Provides unique tools for solving “impossible” tradeoffs
• Cross-Industry Transfer: Solutions from one field spark innovations in another

”TRIZ isn’t a magic wand,” summarizes Ellen Domb, “but it’s the most comprehensive innovation pattern language we have.”

TRIZ vs Other Methods: What Makes It Unique

With these limitations in mind, let’s compare TRIZ to other approaches:

Compared to SCAMPER

• Both provide structured frameworks, but TRIZ is based on patent analysis while SCAMPER derives from psychological techniques
• TRIZ offers specific solution principles (40 inventive principles) versus SCAMPER’s broader prompts
• The contradiction matrix makes TRIZ particularly strong for technical problems

Compared to Design Thinking

• Design Thinking focuses on user needs first, TRIZ on technical solutions
• TRIZ provides concrete tools for the “Ideate” phase of Design Thinking
• Combining both approaches can be powerful - using Design Thinking to identify problems and TRIZ to solve them

Implementing TRIZ: A Starter Guide

Ready to apply TRIZ in your work? Follow this step-by-step approach:

1. Define the Problem Clearly

   • Isolate the core contradiction (technical or physical)
   • Avoid solution bias by stating the problem without implying solutions

2. Classify the Contradiction

   • Use the 39 parameters to identify which aspects conflict
   • For physical contradictions, identify the opposing requirements

3. Consult the Matrix

   • The contradiction matrix will suggest relevant inventive principles
   • For physical contradictions, consider separation principles

4. Generate Solutions

   • Brainstorm how to apply the suggested principles
   • Combine multiple principles for more innovative solutions

5. Evaluate and Refine

   • Assess solutions against original problem statement
   • Use other TRIZ tools like Ideal Final Result for refinement

The Future of Systematic Innovation

As we’ve seen through these examples, TRIZ provides more than just problem-solving tools - it offers a fundamentally different way to approach challenges. In an era where innovation cycles accelerate exponentially, having a systematic methodology becomes increasingly valuable.

The next frontier for TRIZ lies in its integration with emerging technologies:

• AI-assisted contradiction analysis
• Digital twins for testing TRIZ solutions virtually
• Combining with big data to identify new patterns of invention

”TRIZ is evolving, not static,” notes modern TRIZ practitioner Michael Orloff. “The core principles remain, but how we apply them continues to expand.”

Becoming a Modern-Day Altshuller: Your TRIZ Adventure Awaits

Imagine standing where Altshuller stood in 1946 - at the threshold of a new way of thinking. The difference? You have the benefit of decades of refinement and thousands of success stories. Here’s how to begin your TRIZ journey:

First Steps That Changed Careers:

1. The Coffee Cup Experiment

   • Challenge: Your morning coffee gets cold too fast
   • Contradiction: Want insulation (Principle #39) but need to see liquid level (Principle #32)
   • Solution: Transparent double-walled tumbler (combines Principles #24 and #32)

2. The Home Office Hack

   • Challenge: Need work surface in small apartment
   • Contradiction: Space must be both workspace (large) and living space (small)
   • Solution: Fold-down wall desk (Principle #15 - Dynamics)

“Start with what frustrates you daily,” advises TRIZ trainer Sarah Miller. “Those mundane frustrations often hold the seeds of brilliant solutions.”

From Novice to Master: The Path Ahead

• Week 1: Solve one household problem using the contradiction matrix
• Month 1: Document 10 applications of different principles in your field
• Year 1: Lead a TRIZ session for your team on a real work challenge

As you progress, you’ll begin to see the world differently - not as fixed problems but as opportunities for inventive solutions. You’ll join the ranks of engineers at Samsung, scientists at NASA, and product designers at P&G who’ve transformed industries through systematic creativity.

Genrich Altshuller’s final words to his students resonate today: “The best problems aren’t those without solutions, but those that push us to invent new ways of thinking.” Your first TRIZ solution - perhaps scribbled on a napkin or whiteboard - might just be the start of your own innovation legacy.

Dive Deeper:

• Hands-On: MATRIZ’s 30-Day TRIZ Challenge (free email course)
• Reading: “TRIZ for Dummies” (surprisingly advanced practical guide)
• Community: Join the #TRIZ-hackers Slack group for real-time problem solving