Historical Thread of Creativity Across Cultures

Francis Bacon publishes Advancement of Learning.

Jul 13, 1605

Bacon argues scientific research should be empirical. This includes creativity research.

Charles II established the Royal Society.

Jul 13, 1662

Conducting scientific research was completed for the purpose of discovery. The Royal Society required scientists to share their work with all other members following certain requirements, reducing individuality.

Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of Nations.

Jul 13, 1776

He saw the importance in studying the social sciences. He was interested in the "unintended" and "unanticipated" consequences of human behavior.

Thomas Malthus published his Essay on Population.

Jul 13, 1798

This empirical study provided evidence to predict "unanticipated" consequences of English society. Malthus’s descriptions of social science would later help Darwin organize his ideas on natural selection.

Charles Darwin uses characteristics of creativity to explain natural selection.

Jul 13, 1859

Creativity helps solve problems. Darwin related creativity to diversity and adaptation.

Francis Galton created the operational definition of broad evolutionary diversity.

Jul 13, 1874

Galton researched the possibility that creativity and heredity were related.

Catharine Cox Miles studies creativity in relation to IQ and ego.

Jul 13, 1926

Creativity is influenced by many factors. Cox claims that in addition to high IQs, motivation, confidence and character play a role in creative ability.