Accidental Innovations
Innovations are not always planned and can be a byproduct of accidents (Gilbert, 2006). Historical accounts of many discoveries and inventions come from stories of unintended actions (Gilbert, 2006). Some view accidents as a good way to produce something that one may not think of in advance or even thought to create (Gilbert, 2006). It is important to create an environment where there is space and time for experimentations and failures (Bessant & Tidd, 2019).
An example of a game-changing innovation discovered by accident is the microwave oven. In 1945, an American engineer named Percy Spencer, who worked for Raytheon, was doing research and development on a source of microwave energy to power radar sets and became intrigued that the device generated efficient large amounts of energy (Holland, 1989). Stories claim that he placed a bag of popcorn kernels near a waveguide horn and watched the kernels pop (Holland, 1989). A year later, the Raytheon began producing magnetron tubes for cooking purposes (Holland, 1989).
Raytheon was well resourced to continue developing on the component that eventually matured into a microwave oven. Private companies have more funding and opportunities to invest in developing innovations (Revenaugh, 2020). The accidental discovery of the concentrated heat with the waveguide horn led to the invention of commercial microwave ovens that changed the way food is cooked and produced (Holland, 1989). This appliance became a staple appliance, much like the refrigerator and revolutionized the production of convenient meals, as well as provided convenience with reheating and defrosting food items (Holland, 1989).
Some forces that facilitated the success of the microwave were technological, cultural, and social (Revenaugh, 2020). The technology was being developed and was able to be matured to facilitate improvements on the ‘oven’ design. Raytheon was a company where the culture of research, development, and experimentation was supported and encouraged, which helped improve the waveguide horn design that lead to designing a microwave oven. And social forces, such as an increased workforce, less time in the kitchen, more emphasis on convenient meals, etc. helped the support and success of innovation on the microwave oven.
Another example of an accidental innovation was the discover of X-ray images. Wilhelm Rontgen was a physicist who conducted experiments in the field of optics (Boyd & O’Leary, 1999). He primarily studied pressure effects on solids and liquids and the conductivity of electrical charges from electrolyte solutions and focused on cathode rays and vacuum tubes (Boyd & O’Leary, 1999). In 1895, Roentgen was experimenting in a dark room where he was startled by the slight reflection of rays emitted from the vacuum tube (Boyd & O’Leary, 1999). After several weeks, he created the first roentgenogram, which was an x-ray of his wife’s hand (Boyd & O’Leary, 1999).
Many medical professionals and the community became interested in this and had several meetings and discussions about the possibilities of the new discovery in hospitals (Boyd & O’Leary, 1999). The clinical application of developments with the radiographic technology were rapid and the impact X-rays had on the medical profession did not end with just imaging techniques, it was also used for anesthetic effects on cancer patients (Boyd & O’Leary, 1999).
The x-ray innovation was impacted by technological forces as well as social factors to facilitate its success. The maturation of the x-ray was possible because of the technological environment it was founded in and the social aspect of benefits in the medical community also helped accelerate its development outside of just ‘images’. His discovery went on to become a specialized medical discipline that helped many patients around the world.
References
Bessant, J., Tidd. J. (2018). Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, Enhanced eText. [Colorado Technical University (CTU)]. Retrieved from https://coloradotech.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781119379416/
Boyd, L., & O'Leary, J. P. (1999). Roentgen and his ray: An early impact on modern medicine. The American Surgeon, 65(3), 292-4. Retrieved from https://proxy.cecybrary.com/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy.cecybrary.com/docview/212827084?accountid=144789
Gilbert, S., (2006). The Accidental Innovator. Harvard Business School. Retrieved from: https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/the-accidental-innovator
Holland, B. (1989, Dec 27). A micro-history of the microwave: [FIN edition]. Toronto Star Retrieved from https://proxy.cecybrary.com/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy.cecybrary.com/docview/436109580?accountid=144789
Revenaugh, D., (Presenter). (2020, Oct 7). Live Chat 1-Futuring and Innovation. Colorado Technical University, Online.
Revenaugh, D., (Presenter). (2020, Oct 28). Live Chat 4-Futuring and Innovation. Colorado Technical University, Online.
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