[1][2][3][4] The series tells the story of human invention and creativity in 31⁄2 minute essays.

The stories center on engineering and technology, but they venture freely into mathematics, science, literature, medicine, music, art and other areas.

The program is made available free of charge and reporting of its use[clarification needed] is not enforceable.

[6] Part of the growing influence of the series has been an initiative to create a Spanish-language version of the program, Invenciones de la Inventiva.

It also includes variety of value-added items: related technical papers, books, and other sources.