Creativity, by which something new, original, and valuable is formed, has positive connotations. This volume features essays on creative processes in technological invention, engineering design, architecture, music composition, improvisation, sound recording, authenticity in music, and computer music. They deal with significant present-day as well as with historical issues of creativity. They explore what creative processes in different domains have in common, to what extent cognitive science can shed light on them and how they can be modelled. Contrary to some approaches in creativity studies, the authors, if ever possible, try to avoid speculation and come to empirically valid conclusions.

Hans-Joachim Braun is Professor Emeritus of Modern Social, Economic and Technological History at the Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg. He is the former President of the International Committee for the History of Technology. His interests are inventions and innovations, technology and music, sound studies, creative processes, and soccer tactics.