Innovation.

 

Innovation. 

Innovation describes an entirely new idea, product, or process. It could improve an existing tool or project ( Kojabayev & Maziliauskas, 2017). Inventions are compelling and exciting goods or ways of doing things. They are so crucial that consumers are willing to pay extra to enjoy the speed and ease they provide. 

Private and public investors channel funds into Human Resources, research, and development activities targeted toward innovation. Decision-makers in various countries have created policies that promote research and innovation. They award scholarships and funds to students and schools to encourage innovation.

Serendipitous Innovation.

We can call them accidental discoveries because researchers stumble on them unconsciously (Miller, 1998).  In 1754 Horace Walpole coined serendipity and referred to it as a “happy accident.” 

Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928 is an excellent example of a promising innovation. Before his discovery, individuals died from minor diseases and injuries, and his invention helped curb that menace.

After a vacation, Dr. Fleming returned to his home and discovered a mold emanating from a Petri dish of Staphylococcus bacteria. After keen observation, he figured that the mold halted the growth of bacteria around it. He discovered that the mold produced self-defense bacteria. Dr. Fleming called it Penicillin. 

His discovery intrigued him and drove him to publish it and seek partnerships. Although Dr. Fleming did not receive adequate support in the early days, he continued trying to purify the penicillin from the mold. However, he failed. In 1937 Florey Chain and a group of other researchers embarked on a three-year rigorous process that led to the production of pure penicillin. 

Innovation due to Error

Scotchgard is an example of an innovation birthed from an error. Patsy Sherman was conducting a chemical experiment to create a strong rubber material whose qualities would not drop from exposure to aviation kerosene. 

She made a different mixture and accidentally dropped part of it on her shoe. After a while, Sherman noticed a clean spot on her shoe and pondered its origin. She curiously searched for the source of that neat spot and discovered that it was the chemical she had created. 

Exaptation

In 1899, John L. Norris made Bag balms for animals. Farmers and agro-entrepreneurs used this product to cure their cows and horses of skin diseases. It was the initial purpose of this invention.

After a while, farmers began to utilize the salve on their chapped hands due to its composition. It led to using these products on humans and their popularity in the medical and skincare field. Some scientists embarked on research and discovered that bag balms could also help bald men grow their hair. The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit legalized using bag balm for hair growth due to its content. 

References 

Kojabayev, T., & Maziliauskas, A. (2017). The definition and classification of innovation. Journal of Business and Public Administration, 8(1), 61-63. 10.1515/hjbpa-2017-0005

Miller, B. J. (1998). Serendipity, discovery, and the Nobel prize winners. https://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/physics/brau/H182/Term%20Papers/Brian%20Miller.htm