Editing Invention (section)

=== Implementation ===
[[Image:Arabic Numerals.svg|thumb|left|400px|[[Western Arabic numerals]] — an example of non-material inventions]]
[[Image:ZST Bratislava Petrzalka 3.jpg|thumb|Railways&nbsp;— probably the most important invention in [[land transport]] (railway station in [[Bratislava]], [[Slovakia]])]]
In [[economic theory]], inventions are one of the chief examples of "[[externality|positive externalities]]", a beneficial side effect that falls on those outside a transaction or activity. One of the central concepts of economics is that externalities should be internalized—unless some of the benefits of this positive externality can be captured by the parties, the parties are under-rewarded for their inventions, and systematic under-rewarding leads to under-investment in activities that lead to inventions. The [[patent]] system captures those [[externality|positive externalities]] for the inventor or other patent owner so that the economy as a whole invests an optimum amount of resources in the invention process.