4 Lessons From History's Greatest Inventors

Commentary by Adam Noar on FEE.org:

I spend a lot of time reading about entrepreneurship and innovation because I admire people who take sensible but daring risks. I want to be more like them.

I recently left Google to start a technology company. I’ve spent much of my time talking with other founders. And I’ve read countless books and articles about the nature of startups.

But still, I’ve struggled to answer this fundamental question: What are the most important lessons from history’s innovators?

Thankfully, I discovered some thoughtful answers in the work of British author Harold Evans. The words he wrote left an indelible impression on me. And now I’m going to share with you some his most important insights.

Lesson #1: Make No Assumptions

“Ignorance that ignites curiosity is a better starting point than half-knowledge.” – Harold Evans

Edwin Armstrong exemplified this lesson. He was constantly trying to do things in radio circuitry he was told by the experts was impossible. He went on to invent FM Radio.

………………

Lesson #2: It’s OK to Borrow

More innovations come from borrowing and combination than from simple invention.

Jean Nidetch did not invent the diet she used for Weight Watchers.

Nolan Bushnell, who established Atari, did not invent the first home made video game.

…………………

Lesson #3: Nothing Works the First Time

“Too often impatient entrepreneurs expect instant results. History shows us that there are a hundred setbacks for every change.” – Harold Evans

USA Today, Amazon.com, and CNN struggled initially, but later thrived because their basic ideas were sound.

Innovation is often cut too soon because backers fail to appreciate that it takes time to work out the wrinkles.

……………………

Lesson #4: The Whole Can Be Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

“Isolated innovators may produce wonders but they are more likely to succeed in a knowledge network, whether connected by geography or electronics. Connections between innovators are ubiquitous – one good innovation deserves another.” – Harold Evans

Many innovators flourish in partnerships. Take the partnership of Wozniak and Jobs at Apple. Or the partnership of Ida and William Rosenthal at Maidenform. Then there’s Marc Andreessen and Jim Clark at Netscape. The Wright brothers, and Sergey Brin and Larry Page at Google, the list goes on.   [read more]