Innovation does not occur in a vacuum. Lots of people have worked on lots of projects and come close to innovation, but have not succeeded. Innovators build on the work of others, and a great example of this is Alexander Graham Bell.
Bell is credited with the invention of the telephone, but many people were working on a phone at that time. A decade prior to Bell’s phone, inventors were having success transmitting some sound by wire. Some were very close to success. Bell borrowed from others and built on their ideas. He was able to take the initial idea, create a new invention and take his invention all the way to a useful commercial innovation.
Edison understood the idea of building on the work of others when he said, “I start where the last man left off.” So, look around. The next great innovation may be close to being done, but just needs you to finish the idea. Innovation may come from building on the ideas of others and not stopping until you reach success.
This blog was originally posted March 19, 2013