A scientist at one of Britain's top universities has put creativity under the microscope by exploring the Eureka! moments of the 20th century's greatest thinkers.

The lives of more than 100 scientists, historians and explorers from the era are being examined at Cambridge University, in the hope that the origin of creativity will emerge.

"I'm interested in the actual creative moment," Professor Alan Macfarlane, who is leading the study, told the Independent yesterday.

His study of such instances - often called 'Eureka' ('I have found it') moments after Archimedes reputedly shouted it after his principle dawned on him, dates back to 1983.

It will be published later this year, but already the analysis of last century's leading achievers makes its author believe curiosity is the lifeblood of creativity.

"Did they get a moment of inspiration on a walk, or listening to music?" Macfarlane asked of his subjects, who the study will continue to scrutinise beyond his retirement.

Underlining the role of curiosity, the professor suggested creativity is often found in "people who live on the margins or the border between different cultures."

A recent study between London's Goldsmiths College and Vienna's Austrian Academy of Sciences found relaxing the brain, and not being too focussed, was the key to creativity.