What is TRIZ?

Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadach

TRIZ (pronounced "trees") stands for "Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadach," which translates from Russian to “Theory of Inventive Problem Solving.” It was developed in the late 1940s by Genrich Altshuller, a Soviet engineer and researcher. Altshuller designed TRIZ to bring structure and predictability to the process of innovation.

TRIZ is a methodical framework for solving problems and generating new ideas, built upon an extensive study of international patent data. Altshuller and his team examined more than 200,000 patents to identify common patterns behind breakthrough inventions. From their findings, they concluded that innovations often follow consistent patterns, that most problems have already been solved in some way, and that these solutions can be adapted and reused across industries.

• The Soviet Union used TRIZ extensively in military, aerospace, and industrial R&D sectors to improve engineering processes and accelerate technological advancement. It was applied:
  • In defense industries to overcome complex engineering challenges.
  • In space exploration, including spacecraft design and life support systems.
  • To enhance manufacturing efficiency and develop new products with fewer resources.
  • In education, to train engineers and scientists in systematic innovation.
• TRIZ became a state-endorsed method for boosting innovation under Soviet centralized planning, making it a powerful tool for solving engineering problems where traditional trial-and-error methods were too slow or costly. Today, TRIZ is used globally in fields such as engineering, product design, and research and development.
• TRIZ includes tools such as:
  • 40 Inventive Principles
  • Contradiction Matrix
  • ARIZ (Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving)
  • Trends of Technological Evolution
  For example, the Contradiction Matrix helps engineers resolve design trade-offs by recommending proven inventive strategies, while the 40 Principles offer idea prompts like segmentation, universality, and nesting—many of which have led to practical innovations in both consumer products and defense technologies.

Inventive Apparel From WaveRocket

At WaveRocket, our apparel and merchandise reflect the same inventive spirit embodied in TRIZ—smart, efficient, and designed for impact. Our tee shirts, hats, golf balls, and tumblers feature clever, forward-thinking messages and are made with environmentally conscious materials that stand the test of time.

The name WaveRocket represents a fusion of natural force and human ingenuity, combining the steady power of waves with the focused thrust of rocket technology. This symbolism mirrors the energy behind our designs and the values we champion through the Republicman line and beyond.

Discover more engaging reads that dive into modern challenges, offer common sense solutions, and highlight bold ideas from the past and present by exploring our collection of articles at Stories & Swag

by Florence Csonka