What is Innovation?
If someone asked you what “innovation” means, what would you say? Do you know what it means to innovate? Is there a difference between “innovation” and “invention”? What criteria would you use to determine whether, say, the 1913 Ford Model T Touring car (shown in the photo) was an invention or an innovation?
While interconnected, invention and innovation are two different results that can occur when someone is trying to solve a problem. It’s important for you to be able to explain how invention is different from innovation. Once you can do this, you can apply the definition of innovation to different kinds of products, processes, and services.
As you go through Innovate 101, you’re going to be asked to make notes in your Design Journal. These notes are important because you’ll be incorporating them into the different activities presented. So be sure to take the time to write in your Design Journal when prompted (look for this icon).
You’ll start right now by making two columns in your Design Journal. Label the first column “Invention” and the second column “Innovation.” In each column, list words you believe are associated with these two terms. When you’re done, continue scrolling to learn more about invention and innovation.
"There's no good idea that can't be improved on."
Former CEO, The Walt Disney Company
Michael Eisner
To get the ball rolling, let’s learn how The Henry Ford thinks about the terms “invention” and “innovation” to understand different artifacts in their collection.
An invention can be thought of as the creation of a product or introduction of a process for the first time. For example, Thomas Edison’s Electrographic Vote Recorder was the first device that used electric switches to instantly count votes and imprint voter names on paper.
In contrast, an innovation is not necessarily something completely new. Instead, it’s a significant improvement to an existing product, process, or service. To be innovative, the contribution must address a true need. Innovations change the way we behave.
When looking at it this way, you might say that all innovations come from invention but not all inventions become innovations.
It's time for some critical thinking, and to put some artifacts to the test. Review each digital card from The Henry Ford, then decide whether the artifact is an invention or an innovation using The Henry Ford’s criteria. If your criteria are different, that’s okay! Note those differences in your Design Journal and share them with your teacher and classmates.
Instructions
- Read the information presented on each digital card.
- Determine whether an item is an invention or an innovation.
- Once you’ve made your choice, support your decision by choosing from the list of reasons provided.
- Select “Check Answers.”
- Read the feedback provided and think about why your choice was correct or incorrect.
Before scrolling on, in your Design Journal update your invention and innovation lists based on this information. Then, in your own words, write down the definition of "innovation."
You’re going to explore innovation and problem solving in more detail as you move through the course. For now it’s important to understand that innovations come about because people are trying to solve a problem.
If you think about great innovations (and inventions, for that matter), one thing they all have in common is that they solved a problem. Consider the Apple 1.
While large, industrial computers were already being used in the business arena, it was virtually unheard of for people to have computers in their homes. After all, many computers were the size of refrigerators!
But all that changed when two guys named Steve started the personal computer revolution. Watch this video on the creation of the Apple 1 personal computer. As you’re watching, think about why Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs set out to create the personal computer. Log these thoughts in your Design Journal.
Think about your daily life (the things you do and the stuff you use).
- Do you ride the bus?
- Do you have a smartphone?
- What type of sports equipment do you use?
- What kind of art supplies do you have?
These are just a few examples. Reflect on all the different aspects of your life and think about the innovations that you use daily. Then, complete this activity in your Design Journal.
Pick a product, process, or service that's important to you that you consider to be an innovation.
1. Why is this an innovation? (Remember the three distinctions.)
2. What need(s) did this innovation meet?
3. How has this innovation changed the way people behave?
More on…
Here’s where you’ll find even more information—more cool stuff—about the innovations presented in this lesson.
The Moog Synthesizer
The Apple 1
The Assembly Line
Listen to this quick clip of the “First Movement of Brandenburg Concerto Number 3” from Wendy Carlos’s Switched-On Bach. This musical number was performed on a Moog synthesizer and played a key role in bringing synthesizers to popular music.
Learn more about the surprising connections between the weaving loom, a scientific calculator, and the Apple 1.
See how the Ford assembly line has evolved into the amazing and efficient process it is today.
Conclusion
Although both inventions and innovations come from people trying to solve problems, they are not the same thing. Inventions bring completely new products and processes into the world, while innovations improve on these things to make our lives even better.
Chairs were a great invention—people got up off the floor. The Aeron task chair is a great innovation—people in their work chairs are more comfortable for longer periods of time. Both solved problems, just in different ways.
Now that you can explain the differences between invention and innovation and you can apply these definitions to the things around you, it’s time to think about innovators and the habits that make them successful.