Can you train yourself to be a genius?

October 15 marks the centenary of Genrich Altshuller (1926–1998), the Soviet inventor, scientist, and sci-fi writer. He was the very first to suggest that creativity isn't just a talent, but a skill that can be taught — and he built an entire system to prove it.

By analyzing thousands of patents, Altshuller uncovered the core patterns behind how technology evolves. This led to his groundbreaking creation: TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving). Today, TRIZ is used far beyond engineering, driving innovation in medicine, education, and business worldwide.

Writing under the pen name Genrikh Altov, he also published science fiction. For him, stories were a sandbox to stretch his imagination and test bold ideas that were decades ahead of their time.

Even a tragic turn of events couldn't stop him. In 1949, Altshuller was arrested for writing a letter to Stalin that criticized the state of Soviet innovation. Yet, even while imprisoned in the Gulag, he kept refining TRIZ, debating and testing his theories with fellow captive scientists.

To celebrate his legacy, we invite you to watch a video presentation: "Genrich Altshuller: How to Become a Genius."