Strategies for Innovation
- Innovation can come from different sources.
- Some ideas appear suddenly, while others are borrowed from nature or another industry.
- Some inventions happen by accident, and some because the market demands them.
- Let’s break it down with new examples and relatable analogies.
Act of Insight (Sudden Idea)
An innovation that happens when a person suddenly connects the dots and sees a solution.
The Super Soaker – Lonnie Johnson, a NASA engineer, was experimenting with a heat pump when he accidentally shot a stream of water across the room. He immediately realized it could be turned into a powerful water gun.
- Imagine trying to open a stuck jar of pickles.
- In frustration, you tap the lid with a spoon, and suddenly, it opens easily.
- You weren’t planning to invent a new way to open jars, but you just did!
Adaptation (Using an Idea from Another Field)
A solution from one industry is adapted to solve a different problem.
Nike's Air Cushioning – The idea for Nike’s air-cushioned sneakers came from technology used in space helmets. A former NASA engineer adapted the shock-absorbing material to create better shock-absorbing shoes.
- Think about how you might use a book as a doorstop.
- The book was meant for reading, but you adapted it to keep the door open.
Technology Transfer (Using an Existing Technology in a New Way)
A technology created for one purpose is later applied to something completely different.
Scratch-Resistant Lenses – The technology for scratch-resistant coatings was first developed by NASA to protect astronaut visors. It was later used for eyeglasses and phone screens.
- It’s like using a hairdryer to speed up paint drying.
- The hairdryer was meant for drying hair, but you transferred the idea to a new situation.
Analogy & Biomimicry (Learning from Nature)
Designers look at how nature solves problems and apply those ideas to human technology.
Shark Skin-Inspired Swimsuits – Olympic swimmers once used swimsuits designed to mimic shark skin, which reduces water resistance. This made them swim faster (until the suits were banned for being too effective!).
- Think about Velcro.
- Burrs that stick to clothes and dog fur inspired the invention of Velcro fasteners.
- It’s like watching how a gecko climbs a wall and then creating shoes with similar gripping power.
Chance Discoveries (Accidental Inventions)
An invention that wasn’t planned but turned out to be useful.
Penicillin – Alexander Fleming left a petri dish out by accident, and when he came back, he found that bacteria wouldn’t grow near the mold. This led to the discovery of antibiotics.
It’s like accidentally adding salt instead of sugar to a cookie recipe and discovering that salty-sweet cookies taste amazing.
Technology Push (Invention First, Market Later)
A company develops a product before people even realize they need it.
Self-Driving Cars – Many car companies are developing self-driving cars, even though most consumers aren’t fully ready to adopt them. The technology exists, but the market is still catching up.
- Imagine a chef invents a new type of food that nobody has tasted before.
- At first, people are unsure about it, but over time, it becomes popular (like how sushi became mainstream outside of Japan).
Market Pull (Consumer Demand Drives Innovation)
People want a solution to a problem, so companies create products to meet that demand.
Plant-Based Meat – As more consumers demand sustainable and vegetarian options, companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods developed plant-based burgers that taste like real meat.
- If a group of friends keeps asking for a new feature in a video game (like an online multiplayer mode), the game developers eventually add it.
Reflection
- Can you think of an example where a chance discovery led to an innovation
- How does market pull differ from technology push?
- Why is understanding culture important for effective innovation?
