John Goodenough is 94 years old and as invented an alternative battery. Source: U Texas

Army veteran, John Goodenough, went to the University of Chicago back in 1943 to achieve just one thing – learn physics. At the time, he was just 23 years old but as soon as he got there, the professor warned him almost instantly that he was too old for the field. Well, he’s now 94 and despite the professor’s advice, Goodenough has gone to become a buzzing name in the physics world. Goodenough and his team at the University of Texas at Austin are pioneering a new type of battery that if it’s as good as claimed, it will be the most lightweight, safe, and cheap battery.

The patent for this invention has already been filed and it has really set the tech industry abuzz. For many who have had the chance to scrutinize the technology, if indeed it works as said, it will revolutionize the electric car industry. But even if the invention is a big step, it’s not the first time Goodenough has made headlines in this particular area. Back in 1980, Goodenough was one of the co-inventors of the lithium-ion battery. At the time, he was 57 years old. Now, he is well into his 90s and there are many who would have dismissed the creativity of this genius entirely based on his age.

To John and others like him, age does not mean a loss of intelligence. Source: U Texas

But is seems Goodenough has gotten smarter with age. This is a story that may just shed a light on the trends in our society where young people are often perceived to be the most innovative. There is a distinct bias it seems towards older people with regards to creativity but Goodenough is changing this. Goodenough’s story is not isolated. In 2016, a study that was done by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation found that most inventors tend to peak in their late 40s.

The study also noted that most of these inventors tend to get more productive at the latter years of their careers. Other studies done by the Hitotsubashi University in Japan and the Georgia University of Technology concluded that after studying various patents filed, the data shown that many inventors filed one at an average age of 47. The studies also showed that high-value patents were filed by people who were over the age of 55. Another study that was done on Nobel Laureates noted that since the 80s, winners of the prize made their ground breaking discoveries at the average age of 50.

Most inventors peak in their 40s and seem to get more creative with age. Source: U Texas

The study went on to also note that in each year, the average age on which Nobel laureates peak in their creativity gets higher. These studies simply seem to back the trend and the path that Goodenough is taking and while he is still not yet a Nobel laureate, there are many who think that the significance of the battery he has invented could finally land him the prize. Goodenough will be the oldest person to ever receive the Nobel Prize if he wins it. Goodenough doesn’t think that there’s any relationship between his invention and age but he admitted that as he got older, he had more time to think, which could have played a big role in this development.