Numerous natural phenomena and theories were simultaneity discovered by a number of scientists that were oblivious to the finding of each other (differential calculus, energy conservation, positron, electron diffraction). In a similar manner, many devices and methods were invented by a few inventors without knowing each other’s work (e.g. telephone, electric light bulb, radar). In the seminar, we will examine the phenomenon of simultaneous discoveries and inventions by general sociological, historiographical and philosophical analysis and by examining a few examples of more and less famous discoveries and inventions. Virtually never, we will seem, two different groups claimed exactly the same thing or invented identical systems. Thus, we will examine in which cases, if at all, we can view two inventions or discoveries as equivalent enough to regard them as simultaneous, and how such a view helps understanding creation and development of knowledge and devices. What can be learnt about the causes that led to individual inventions and discoveries from the existence of such “multiples” (to use the term used by Robert Merton)? What are their implication for understanding science and technology as a social phenomenon? What are the differences, if at all, in these cases of simultaneous creativity.